SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM – 2
Surface of the small intestine mucosa.
It is easy to see that the cells of the epithelial layer are tall and that their nuclei are elongated and arranged along the major cell axis.
There is only one layer of nuclei and, therefore, the epithelium is simple. The elongated shape of the nuclei indicates that the cells are prismatic. It is, therefore, a simple prismatic (or columnar) epithelium that lines the inner surface of the small intestine.
The apical (also called free) surface of the epithelial cells has a large number of microvilli. They increase the cell surface and are important for the process of absorption of substances present in the lumen. These microvilli appears as a thin, darker-colored band, at the apical cell surface and is called striated border. It becomes highlighted in red after using the mouse or clicking on the image.
The underlying connective tissue is highlighted in gray when you move the cursor or click on the image.
Some spherical nuclei (highlighted in purple) seen within the epithelial layer between epithelial cells, belong to lymphocytes, cells of the immune system that migrated from the underlying connective tissue into the epithelium.
It is easy to see that the cells of the epithelial layer are tall and that their nuclei are elongated and arranged along the major cell axis.
There is only one layer of nuclei and, therefore, the epithelium is simple. The elongated shape of the nuclei indicates that the cells are prismatic. It is, therefore, a simple prismatic (or columnar) epithelium that lines the inner surface of the small intestine.
The apical (also called free) surface of the epithelial cells has a large number of microvilli. They increase the cell surface and are important for the process of absorption of substances present in the lumen. These microvilli appears as a thin, darker-colored band, at the apical cell surface and is called striated border. It becomes highlighted in red after using the mouse or clicking on the image.
The underlying connective tissue is highlighted in gray when you move the cursor or click on the image.
Some spherical nuclei (highlighted in purple) seen within the epithelial layer between epithelial cells, belong to lymphocytes, cells of the immune system that migrated from the underlying connective tissue into the epithelium.
Small intestine. Hematoxylin and eosin. Medium magnificatium.
