HISTOLOGY OF

GASTROINTESTINAL
TRACT
Objectives
To understand the general
organization of organs of the
digestive system and how they
function to obtain metabolites
necessary for growth and
energy for the body, yet
maintain a barrier between the
environment and the internal
milieu of the body

To identify and describe functions

of cellular structures, cells,
and groups of cells in the
digestive system.
 Function of the Digestive System
Movement of food

Secretion of digestive juices

Absorption of digested foods, water, and

electrolytes
 Adaptation of G.I. Tract for Specific
Function
Function Organ

Simple passage
from one part Esophagus
to another

Storage of food or feces Stomach

or distal colon

Digestion Stomach, small

intestine

Absorption of end products Small intestine,

proximal colon
Alimentary Tract: the whole passage along which food passes
through the body from mouth to anus during digestion.

• Provides the Body with Water, Nutrients, Electrolytes,

and Vitamins By:

a. Movement of food through the alimentary tract

b. Secretion of digestive juices and digestion of the food

c. Absorption of water, various electrolytes, vitamins,

and digestive products

d. Circulation of blood through the gastrointestinal (GI)

organs to carry away the absorbed substances

e. Control of all these functions by local, nervous, and

hormonal systems
Alimentary Tract
• Physiologic Anatomy of the GI Wall- Layers from
the outer to inner

a. Serosa
b. Longitudinal smooth muscle layer
c. Circular smooth muscle layer
d. Submucosa
e. Mucosa
• Physiologic Anatomy of the GI Wall

Fig. Typical cross section of the gut

Neural Control of GI Function-Enteric Nervous System

• Enteric Nervous System

a. Lies entirely within the wall of the gut

b. Composed of 100 million neurons

c. Composed of mainly two plexuses

1. Myenteric plexus-outer plexus between the

longitudinal and circular muscle layers
2. Submucosal plexus-lies in the submucosa

*Plexus: a network of nerves or vessels in the body.

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Small intestine

Large intestine

Small intestine
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Epithelium
General Structure of Lamina propria
the Digestive Tract
Muscularis
mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
externa
Serosa
Questions on the Digestive system
1. Which of these cells is/are found both in the stomach and intestines?
a. enteroendocrine (argentaffin cells)
b. fibroblasts
c. goblet cell
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c

2. The digestive system functions to obtain metabolites necessary for growth and
energy needs; however, it must maintain a barrier between the environment and
the internal milieu of the body. Which of the following is the least effective feature
of this barrier?
a. composition of saliva
b. acid environment of the stomach
c. large volume of mucus produced into the lumen of the large intestine
d. the chylomicron fat absorption mechanism via central lacteal
e. nearby and abundant immune defense structures and mechanisms
Contents

• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Small Intestine
• Large Intestine
Histology of the Digestive System
Basic Histological Layers:
1. Mucosa:
a. Epithelium
b. Lamina Propria
c. Muscularis Mucosae
2. Submucosa:
Submucosal plexus
“Plexus of Meissner”
3. Muscularis:
Myenteric plexus
“Plexus of Auerbach
4. Serosa
Histology of the Mucosa
Organ Epithelium
Mouth Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Pharynx Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Esophagus Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Stomach Simple Columnar
Small Intestine Simple Columnar
Large Intestine Simple Columnar
Anus Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Histology of the Mucosa

Organ Folds of the epithelium

Esophagus none
Stomach L: Rugae, S: gastric pits
Small Intestine L: Plicae circulares, Villi S: Crypts of
Lieberkuhn, microvilli
Large Intestine L: Haustra S: Intestinal glands
Histology of the Submucosa

Organ Specialized structures

Esophagus Submucosal mucous glands

Stomach None
Duodenum Brunner’s glands
Ileum Peyer’s Patches

Large Intestine None

Histology of the Muscularis

Organ Smooth muscle layers

Esophagus 2, circular and longitudinal

Stomach 3, oblique, circular, and longitudinal
Small Intestine 2, circular and longitudinal
Large Intestine 2, circular and longitudinal
Histology of the Serosa

Organ Serosa

Esophagus Adventitia due to the fact that the

esophagus is not in a cavity
Stomach Visceral Peritoneum
Small Intestine Visceral Peritoneum
Large Intestine Visceral Peritoneum

Anus Adventitia