Lecture:

Histology of the Digestive Tract

TRANSCRIBER/S: LAGO, J., GROUP 18A EVALS #8


FUNCTIONS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - fine blood and lymphatic vessels, GALT,
digestive glands
• digestion – break down of food into simpler o muscularis mucosae
substances - poorly developed smooth muscles
• absorption – assimilation of nutrients from (**mnemonics: OLIC – outer
digested material longitudinal, inner circular)
• excretion – elimination of indigestible materials - sometimes absent

• Submucosa
COMPONENTS o loose connective tissue
- denser and more abundant than lamina
• Digestive Tract (alimentary canal) – mechanical
propria
digestion
- blood vessels (larger than lamina
O oral cavity
propria), GALT, digestive glands (in some
O pharynx
segments)
O esophagus
- contains ganglionated autonomic neurons
O stomach
(submucous plexus of Meissner)
O small intestine
O large intestine
• Muscularis Externa (OLIC)
o inner coat – circularly-oriented muscle cells
• Digestive Glands – chemical digestion
o outer coat – longitudinally-oriented muscle
O embedded in walls of digestive tract
cells
O distinct organs – accessory organs
o Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC)
- in esophagus, small and large intestines
- between nerves and smooth muscles
- pacemaker for intestinal mobility
- similar morphology to smooth muscle in
H&E stain
- selectively stains with methylene blue
and zinc-iodide-osmium
- in EM, smaller mitochondria, flattened
sER, intermediate filament is vimentin
instead of desmin
o Myenteric plexus of Auerbach
- ganglionated autonomic nerve fibers and
neurons
- pale areas between muscle layers
- forms enteric division of ANS with
Meissner’s plexus
- regulates motor and sensory activities of
tract

• Adventitia or Serosa
o outermost layer
o mostly connective tissue
o most pronounced from esophagus to intestine
- serosa
§ areas covered by peritoneum
Figure 1. Parts of the digestive system § simple squamous epithelium
- adventitia
BASIC LAYERS § areas with no peritoneal covering
§ blends with surrounding connective
• Mucosa (mucous membrane)
tissue
o epithelium – varies from segment to segment
o lamina propria
- loose connective tissue

1 of 6

 o submucosa – present in ventral surface only
o muscularis externa – skeletal muscle
(atypical)

• ANTERIOR TONGUE
o covered by lingual papillae
o types of lingual papillae:
- filiform
§ most numerous
§ all over anterior tongue
§ slender tapering projections
o connective tissue core
o stratified squamous epithelium
with keratinized tips
- fungiform
§ flattened surfaces
§ broader
Figure 2. Basic histologic layers
§ core with many capillaries
§ occasionally with taste buds
- circumvallate
ORAL CAVITY: REGIONS
§ largest but least numerous
• vestibule – area anterior to teeth and gums § arranged in V along sulcus terminalis
• oral cavity proper § base surrounded by canal or moat
o roof – hard and soft palate
o floor – tongue o taste buds
- organs of taste
ORAL CAVITY: HISTOLOGIC LAYERS - ovoid pale structures
- embedded in epithelium of:
• mucosa § circumvallate papillae
o epithelium – stratified squamous § fungiform papillae
- non-keratinized in most of oral cavity § epiglottis
- keratinized over hard palate § soft palate
o lamina propria – loose connective tissue § palatoglossal arch
§ posterior pharyngeal wall
• submucosa - taste pore – opening into oral cavity
o not well-delineated from lamina propria
o no muscularis mucosae - nerve supply
o absent in gingivae and midline of hard palate § facial nerve (CN VII) – taste buds
o glands on anterior tongue
- small, mucous-secreting § glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- branched tubuloalveolar (named and vagus nerve (CN X) – taste
according to location) buds on pharynx
§ labial glands (lips)
§ buccal glands (cheek) - types of cells (LM)
§ palatine glands (hard palate) § sustentacular (supporting) cells
and neuroepithelial (gustatory)
cells
• muscularis externa o both slender and spindle-shaped
o in cheeks and lips o distal ends covered by microvilli
o atypical – muscle type is skeletal o sustentacular stains darker than
neuroepithelial
• adventitia § basal cells
o aka subcutaneous tissue o undifferentiated cells
o connective tissue between muscularis externa o serves as stem cells
and skin
- types of cells (EM)
ORAL CAVITY: TONGUE § type I – correspond to sustentacular
cells
• muscular organ § type II and type III
• for mastication, deglutition, speech, and taste o both are subsets of
neuroepithelial cells
• histologic layers § type IV – correspond to basal cells
o mucosa § type V – form outer boundary of
- smooth ventral, rough dorsal taste bud
- stratified squamous

2 of 6

 o glands of tongue
- root and lateral surfaces
§ mucous glands in lamina propria
§ similar to buccal and labial
- Glands of Von Ebner
§ serous, compound tubuloalveolar
§ in lamina propria in area of
circumvallate papillae
§ ducts open into moat of
circumvallate papillae
§ secretions
o continuously flush moat
o serve as medium where
gustatory substances can be
dissolved
- anterior lingual glands of Nuhn and
Blandin
§ in mucosa under apex of tongue
§ mixed glands
§ tubuloalveolar glands
• POSTERIOR TONGUE
o contains lingual tonsils
o sulcus terminalis
- inverted V-shaped shallow furrow
- demarcates anterior 2/3 and posterior
1/3
o foramen cecum
- apex of “V”
- remnants of thyroglossal duct
PHARYNX
• funnel-shaped, fibromuscular tube
• common to digestive and respiratory systems
- compound tubulealveolar glands
• muscularis externa
o not well-delineated
- upper third – skeletal muscles
- lower third – smooth muscles
- middle third – mixture of skeletal and
smooth muscles
• adventitia – adventitia except for portion inside
abdomen
STOMACH: GROSS DIVISIONS
• cardiac region
o surround gastroesophageal opening
o pits and glands occupy same amount of space
• fundic region
o dome-shaped
o above horizontal plane of esophageal opening
o mucosa occupied mostly by glands together
with body
• body
o continuation of fundus
o bulk of organ
• pyloric region
o tapering distal part
o divided into pyloric antrum and pyloric canal
o very deep gastric pits

ESOPHAGUS

• passageway for food

• long tube (20-25 cm)

• mucosa
o epithelium
- stratified squamous non-keratinized
- gastroesophageal junction
§ epithelium changes to simple
columnar
§ referred as z-line
§ common site of esophageal cancer
- Langerhans cells
§ antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
§ occasional in stratum germinativum
o lamina propria
- rich with GALT
- with esophageal cardiac glands in Figure 3. Gross divisons of the stomach
initial and terminal segements of
esophagus STOMACH: HISTOLOGIC LAYERS
§ mucus-secreting, simple tubular
glands • mucosa
o muscularis mucosae – more prominent in o rugae – longitudinally anastomosing mucosal
lower part folds
o epithelium
• submucosa - simple columnar
o thicker than lamina propria - gastric foveolae or pits
o GALT § invaginations of epithelium
o esophageal glands proper (mucous) § 204 mm apart
3 of 6

 § anastomose with other
- cells
§ surface mucous cells
§ enteroendocrine cells – hormone-
producing cells
o lamina propria
- with gastric glands***
o muscularis mucosae – well-defined
• submucosa
o thick connective tissue
o no glands
o GALT and blood vessels
• muscularis externa
o atypical 3 smooth muscle layers
- inner obliquely-arranged
- middle circularly-arranged
- outer longitudinally-arranged
o Myenteric plexus of Auerbach
- between longitudinally- and circularly-
arranged fibers
• serosa
o stomach enveloped by peritoneum
o lined externally by mesothelium
• Gastric Mucosal Barrier
o prevents HCl and gastric enzymes from
damaging the cells
o components
- compact epithelium
§ tight junctions (zonula occludens)
- layer of mucous over mucosal surface
§ product of surface mucous and
mucous neck cells
- bicarbonate ions
§ produced by surface mucous cells
§ neutralizes HCl as soon as pepsin
stops functioning
Gastric Glands***
• fundic glands
o in fundus and body
o principal gastric glands
o most numerous
o longer
o cells
- oxyntic (parietal cell)
§ most recognizable
§ produces HCl
§ for absorption of vitamin B12
- zymogenic (chief) cell
§ most numerous in deeper region of
glands
§ produces secretory material that
contains enzymes (pepsinogen)
- mucous neck cell
§ confined to upper region of glands
§ near gastric pit
§ contains mucigen granules
- stem cell
§ replenishes cells
§ found at upper part of glands
- enteroendocrine cells
§ 1% of epithelial cell population of
stomach and intestine
§ argentaffin cells (affinity to silver
stains)
§ largest endocrine part of body
• cardiac glands
o in cardiac region
o least numerous
o cells same with fundic glands EXCEPT:
- enteroendocrine cells secrete gastric (G
cells)
- numerous mucous neck
- few zymogenic and parietal cells
• pyloric glands
o pyloric region
o simple tubular but more coiled
o cells same with fundic gland EXCEPT:
- mucous-secreting cells are most
numerous
- few parietal cells
- usually no zymogenic cells
SMALL INTESTINE
• segments
o duodenum – initial 25 cm
o jejunum – next 2/5
o ileum – distal 3/5
• mucosa
o modifications -> to increase surface area
- horizontal mucosal folds (valves of
Kerckring; valvulae conniventes; plicae
circulares)
§ crescentric/circular horizontal
creases
§ core submucosa and mucosal
covering
§ most developed in jejunum
§ absent in 1st part of duodenum and
distal half of ileum
- intestinal villi
§ fingerlike projections
§ on surface of, and between plicae
circulares
§ abundant in proximal segments of
small intestine
§ epithelium + lamina propria
§ core has lacteal -> lymphatic
capillary
- microvilli
§ fingerlike extensions
§ on apical surface of epithelial cells
that make up the surface epithelium
§ striated/brush border in LM
§ core formed by actin filaments
o epithelium
- simple columnar
- cell types
§ enterocytes
§ goblet cells
§ enteroendocrine cells
§ M-cells – only areas with more GALT
- intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL)
4 of 6
 § T-cells between epithelial cells
§ need no priming -> release cytokines
immediately
§ concerned with local immunity and
immunity to new growths
§ increase in number during
inflammation (e.g. celiac disease and
tumors)
o lamina propria
- loose connective tissue
- rich in blood and lymphatic vessels, and
GALT
- few smooth muscle fibers
- has crypts of Lieberkuhn (intestinal
glands)
§ simple tubular glands
§ epithelial invagination
§ ducts open between adjacent villi
§ low columnar epithelial lining
§ cells (S.E.G.P.E.)
o stem cells
- most numerous in crypts
- stem cells for all cellular
elements of small intestine
- columnar but shorter; more
basophilic
o enterocytes (secretory cells)
- line upper part of gland
- produce digestive enzymes
o goblet cells (mucous-secreting)
o cells of Paneth
- pyramidal cells in bottom of
crypts
- basophilic cytoplasm
- coarse eosinophilic granules
in apical cytoplasm
- secrete antimicrobial
peptides
- for intestinal homeostasis
o enteroendocrine cells
- ovoid in crypts; not
columnar
- lighter cytoplasm
- produce gastrin,
somatostatin, serotonin,
enteroglucagon,
cholecystokinin, gastric
inhibitory protein (GIP),
motilin, neurotensin,
pancreatic polypeptide, and
secretin
o muscularis mucosae
- typical -> OLIC
- secrete
§ mucous
§ epidermal growth factor (EGF;
urogastrone)
o secreted in high amounts by
salivary glands
o stimulate growth, proliferation,
and differentiation
o inhibit HCl secretion by stomach
o Peyer’s patches
- large aggregates of lymphoid nodules
- ileum
- M-cells
§ epithelium covering Peyer’s patches
§ large cells; few microvilli
§ indentations on basolateral cell
membrane contain lymphocytes
§ APCs
§ endocytose antigens and present
these to lymphocytes in their
basolateral indentations
• muscularis externa
o typical -> OLIC
o with myenteric plexus of Auerbach
• serosa/adventitia
o adventitia on posterior aspect of 2nd and 3rd
segemnts of duodenum
o serosa on the rest
LARGE INTESTINE
• last part of digestive tract
• 1.5 – 1.6 m long
• segments
o cecum and vermiform appendix
o ascending colon
o transverse colon
o descending colon
o sigmoid colon
o rectum
o anal canal
• difference from small intestine
o sacculations or haustra
o appendices epiploicae
o teniae coli

• submucosa
o contains blood and lymphatic vessels, GALT,
and submucous plexus of Meissner
(parasympathetic)
o glands of Brunner
- only glands in submucosa
- confined to submucosa of duodenum
- compound coiled tubular, mucous-
secreting glands
- ducts open into bottom of crypts of
Lieberkuhn Figure 4. Large intestine

5 of 6

• no mucosal fold EXCEPT o lamina propria
o transverse rectal folds - heavily infiltrated with lymphocytes
- 2-3 mucosal folds in proximal part of - with lymphatic nodules
rectum - crypts of Lieberkuhn
o rectal columns of Morgagni § short
- longitudinal mucosal folds in anal canal § occasional Paneth cells
§ muscularis mucosae poorly
• mucosa developed
o no villi and mucosal folds
o epithelium • submucosa
- simple columnar o thick
- level of rectal columns of Morgagni o numerous lymphoid tissue
abruptly replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium that keratinizes on anal verge • muscularis externa
o cells o complete but thin
- enterocytes
§ majority • serosa/adventitia
§ absorptive o completely enveloped by peritoneum
§ shorter microvilli
- goblet cells
§ more numerous --END—
- enterendocrine cells
§ fewer than in small intestine
§ secrete glucagon, serotonin,
somatostatin, and pancreatic
polypeptide
- M-cells
§ similar to those in small intestine
o lamina propria
- GALT with more lymphatic nodules
- crypts of Lieberkhun compared to small
intestine
§ longer
§ more goblet cells
§ no Paneth cells
o muscularis mucosae
- typical -> OLIC

• submucosa
o richly supplied with GALT
o no glands

• muscularis externa
o teniae coli
- outer layer of longitudinally-arranged
smooth muscle fibers
- reverts to typical muscularis externa in REFERENCES:
rectum • Lecture Notes
• Chapter XIII of Esteban and Gonzales’
• serosa/adventitia Textbook of Histology (5th ed.)
o mostly serosa
o adventitia in parts of ascending colon and
descending colon that press directly on
posterior body wall
o in serosa – adipose tissues form pendulous
masses called appendices epiploicae

VERMIFORM APPENDIX

• short, worm-like evagination of cecum

• mucosa
o epithelium
- tall columnar cells with microvilli
- few goblet cells
- few enteroendocrine cells
6 of 6

Table 1. Comparison of the basic histologic layers

DIGESTIVE TRACT: BASIC LAYERS

Mucosa (Mucous Membrane)

Epithelium Varies from segment to segment

Lamina propria Loose CT; (+) blood and lymph vessels, GALT, glands

Muscularis mucosae (-) or poorly dev’t smooth muscle layer

Submucosa

Denser, more abundant loose CT; (+) larger blood vessels, GALT, glands

(+) Meissner’s plexus (ganglionated autonomic neruons)

Muscularis Externa (OLIC – outer longitudinal, inner circular)

Inner coat Circularly oriented muscle cells

Outer coat Longitudinally oriented muscle cells

Cells of Cajal (ICC) (+) in esophagus, small and large intestines

Pacemaker for intestinal motility

Myenteric plexus of Auerbach Ganglionated autonomic nerve fibers & neurons

Forms enteric division of ANS w/ Meissner’s plexus; regulates motor and secretory activities of tract

Adventitia or Serosa

Outermost histologic layers; mainly CT

Serosa (+) mesothelium

Adventitia (-) mesothelium

Table 2. Comparison of the histologic layers per organ

DIGESTIVE TRACT: COMPONENTS

MUCOSA SUBMUCOSA MUSCULARIS ADVENTITIA

EXTERNA / SEROSA
Epithelium Lamina Muscularis
propria mucosa

ORAL Stratified Loose CT Not well delineated (+) in cheeks aka

CAVITY squamous from lamina propria and lips subcutaneous
(most); (-) muscularis skeletal tissue
Keratinized (hard mucosa muscle CT between
palate) (-) in gingivae and (atypical) m. externa &
midline of hard skin
palate
(+) mucus
secreting branched
tubuloalveolar
glands (labial,
buccal, palatine)

TONGUE Stratified (+) mucous Ventral surface only Skeletal

squamous glands muscle
(atypical)
Smooth ventral, rough dorsal aspect
ESOPHAGUS Stratified (+) GALT Prominent Thicker than lamina Layers not Adventitia /
squamous, non- (+) esophageal @ lower propria well with
keratinized è cardiac glands part; thin (+) GALT delineated mesothelium,
simple columnar (simple, @ upper (+) Esophageal OLIC except inside
(@ tubular, serous) part gland Upper 3rd: abdomen
gastroesophageal proper (compound, skeletal (serosa)
junction) tubuloalveolar, (involuntary)
(+) Langerhans mucus) Middle 3rd:
cells skeletal and
smooth
Lower third:
smoot
(+) Myenteric
Plexus of
Auerbach

STOMACH Simple columnar (+) gastric OLIC Thick CT Inner: oblique Serosa
(+) Gastric glands (simple/ (+) blood vessels Middle: Enveloped by
folveolar / pits branched, and GALT circular peritoneum
(+) surface tubular) (+) Meissner’s Outer: Lined
mucous cells plexus longitudinal externally by
(+) (+) Myenteric mesothelium
enteroendocrine plexus of
cells - few Auerbach
(bet. longi and
circ muscle
layers)

(+) rugae (+) rugae

SMALL Simple columnar (+) Loose CT, OLIC (+) blood & lymph OLIC Adventitia:
INTESTINE (+) enterocytes vessels, GALT, vessels, GALT (+) myenteric posterior
(+) goblet cells some smooth (+) Meissner’s plexus of aspect of 2nd
(+) muscle fibers plexus (parasymp) Auerbach and 3rd
enteroendocrine (+) Crypts of (+) Glands of segments of
cells Lieberkuhn – Brunner duodenum
(+) M-cells simple tubular; (compound, coiled, Serosa:
(+) cells: stem, tubular, mucus & others
Intraepithelial enterocytes, epidermal growth
lymphocytes goblet, paneth, factor); @
(IEL) duodenum
 enteroendocrine (+) Peyer’s patches
(SEGPE) @ ileum

(+) Valves of Kerckring (horizontal mucosal folds) –

mucosal covering, submucosal core; absent @
proximal duodenum and distal ileum
(+) intestinal villi – made up of epithelium and lamina
prop.; lacteal @ core
(+) microvilli – actin filament core

LARGE Simple columnar (+) Crypts of OLIC (+) GALT Teniae coli ; Adventitia:
INTESTINE (+) enterocytes Lieberkuhn – (-) glands OLIC @ ascending
(+) goblet longer, non (+) Meissner’s rectum and
(+) secretory plexus (+) Myenteric descending
enteroendocrine enterocytes, plexus of colon
(+) M-cells more goblet, no Auerbach pressing on
paneth posterioir
body wall
(-) mucosal folds instead: (+) transverse rectal folds, Serosa:
(+) rectal columns of Morgagni others
(-) intestinal villi

VERMIFORM Tall columnar (+) Poorly Thick Thin Serosa:

APPENDIX cells with lymphocytes, developed Heavily infiltrated peritoneum
microvilli lymphatic with lymphoid
Few goblet, nodules tissue
enteroendocrine (+) crypts of
cells lieberkuhn
Table 3. Comparison of the gastric glands

STOMACH: GASTRIC GLANDS

FUNDIC CARDIAC PYLORIC

@ body and fundus @ cardia @ pyloric region

Pit < gland Pit = gland Pit > gland

Principal gastric glands Least numerous Moe coiled than other glands of
Most numerous Mostly mucus-secreting cells stomach
Longer than cardiac and pyloric ends Similar to esophageal cardiac Mostly mucus-secreting cells
glands

Oxyntic (Parietal) Parietal Parietal

-pyramidal - few - few
-eosinophilic cytoplasm
-produces HCl and intrinsic factor

Zymogenic (Chief) Zymogenic Zymogenic

- majority of cells - few - absent
- basophilic cytoplasm
- secretory granules contain pepsinogen

Mucous Neck Mucous Neck Mucous Neck

- @upper part of gastrc glands, near botton of pits
- basally located, flattened nuclei

Stem Stem Cells Stem Cells

-basophilic cytoplasm
- @ upper part of gastric glands

Enteroendocrine Enteroendocrine Enteroendocrine

- 1% of epith cell pop. - secrete mainly gastrin
- produce hormones
- G: gastrin; EC: serotonin; D: somatostatin; ECL:
histamine