GLAND IN SUBMUCOSA

MESENTERY
SEROSA

LONGITUDINAL MUSCLE
PLEXUS OF AUERBACH
CIRCULAR MUSCLE

GLAND OUTSIDE GUT

PLEXUS OF MEISSNER
SUBMUCOSA

MUSCULARIS MUCOSA
LUMEN

MUCOSA
LAMINA PROPRIA

EPITHELIUM
Fig. General structure of the wall of the mammalian gut and associated structures

(i)
Generalized histology of alimentary canal : The alimentary canal consist of
following layers from outer to inner side:
(a) Serosa : Outermost, mesodermal, single layered made up of squamous
epithelial cells.
(b) Muscular layer : Mesodermal, consist of outer longitudinal and inner
circular layer. Muscles are involuntary unstriated. In between the two layers there is a
nerve network called the plexus of Auerbach.
(c) Submucosa : Mesodermal, made up of connective tissue and contains
major blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerve fibres etc. Mucous glands are also
present in some parts of alimentary canal. In this region nerve network, called
plexus of Meissner.