LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE AND DENSE IRREGULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Beneath its lining epithelium, the intestines have a layer of loose connective tissue, as seen on page 4-31. This tissue is composed of many cells and little extracellular matrix. It becomes highlighted in red after using the cursor or clicking on the image.
The connective tissue underlying the lining epithelium of organs of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems is often called the lamina propria. The epithelium and lamina propria together constitute the mucosal layer or simply mucosa of these organs.
Observe a layer of dense, irregular connective tissue placed under the mucosa, which becomes highlighted in light blue. It consists of a large amount of collagen fibrils and fewer cells that the loose conective tissue.
A thin layer of smooth muscle is seen between the two highlighted tissues.
