Foveolar cell
Foveolar cells | |
---|---|
Details | |
Location | Stomach |
Function | Mucus production |
Identifiers | |
Latin | mucocytus superficialis |
TH | H3.04.02.1.00023 |
Anatomical terms of microanatomy |
Foveolar cells or surface mucous
Structure
The gastric mucosa that lines the inner wall of the stomach has a set of microscopic features called gastric glands which, depending on the location within the stomach, secrete different substances into the lumen of the organ. The openings of these glands into the stomach are called gastric pits which foveolar cells line in order to provide a protective alkaline secretion against the corrosive gastric acid.[2]: 256
Microanatomy
Foveolar cells line the surface of the stomach, the gastric pits, and the top part of
Surface mucous cells have large quantities of
Function
The mucus produced by these cells is extremely important, as it prevents the stomach from digesting itself.
The mucus allows the acid at pH above 4 to penetrate lining, but below pH 4 (i.e. when acid is more concentrated) the acid cannot penetrate the mucus. This is called viscous fingering.[6] Thus the foveolar cells can pump out a lot of acid, but acid once in the lumen of the stomach is prevented from returning.
See also
Notes
- ^ "Mucous" is an adjective whereas "mucus" is a noun, i.e. mucous cells secrete mucus.
References
- ^ Mucous vs. mucus. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
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ignored (help) - ^ ISBN 978-0702047473.
- PMID 23478383.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7817-7200-6.
- PMID 6995243.
- S2CID 4303054.
External links
- Histology image: 11303loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: fundic stomach, gastric glands, base"
- MedEd at Loyola Histo/frames/Histo18.html - see slide #41