HISTOLOGY OF

DIGESTIVE TRACT,
STOMACH, SMALL
INTESTINE, LARGE
INTESTINE, APPENDIX

Dr. Adnan Iqbal

407 Physiology Lab
Epithelium of GIT
• Esophagus ----------------- Stratified squamous
• Stomach ----------------- Simple Columnar + No Goblet Cells
• Small Intestine ------------ Simple Columnar + Goblet Cells
• Large Intestine ------------- Simple Columnar + Goblet Cells
 Glands of
GIT
• Glands extending up to Lamina Propria
I. Esophagus ------- Cardiac glands
II. Stomach ---------- Gastric glands
III. Small intestine – Intestinal Glands ( Crypts of
Lieberkühn). These glands contain Paneth cells which
kill the bacteria.
IV. Large intestine -- Intestinal Glands

• Glands extending up to Submucosa

I. Brunner Glands ------- Small intestine ( Secrete
alkaline solution to neutralize acidic chime)
 Microvilli, Villi, Plicae circulares
• Projection on epithelium ----- Microvilli

• Glycocalyx microvilli - Proteins break down proteins

and carbohydrates

• Projection coming out from Lamina propria -- Villi

• Submucosal Finger like projection--- Plicae circulares

• No Villi and microvilli in large intestines

• Lacteal ------ The lymphatic vessels of the small

intestine which absorb digested fats.
Peyer's • Peyer's patches are clusters
follicles found in the intestine. 
of lymphoid

patches • Prominent in ileum and are characterized by

specialized epithelial cells called M cells (Micro
fold cells)
 Muscularis Externa
• Inner ---- Circular
• Outer ---- Longitudinal

• The myenteric plexus known as Auerbach's plexus,

is located between the longitudinal and circular
muscle layers of most of the digestive tract.

• The submucosal plexus, also known

as Meissner's plexus, is situated in the submucosal
region between the circular muscle and submucosa.
Serosa/Adventitia • The main difference between serosa and adventitia is
that serosa covers the organs in the body cavities
whereas adventitia attaches the organ to the
surrounding tissues.