Histology of gastrointestinal tract

Meissner’s plexus is located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers; Auerbach’s plexus is in the submucosa

Meissner’s plexus is located in the submucosa; Auerbach’s plexus is located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers

Meissner’s plexus is located in the serosa; Auerbach’s plexus is located in the mucosa

Both Meissner’s and Auerbach’s plexuses are located in the submucosa

Alternating contraction of mucosal glands regulated by the meissner's plexus

Elastic recoil of the serosal layer

coordinated action of the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers of the muscularis externa, regulated by the myenteric plexus.

Activity of the submucosal (Meissner’s) plexus alone

Protection

Absorption

Secretion

Contraction

Simple columnar epithelium

Simple squamous epithelium

Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Mucosal epithelium

Lamina propria

Muscularis mucosae

Submucosa

Oesophagus: simple columnar epithelium for secretion; Stomach: stratified squamous epithelium for protection against abrasion

Oesophagus: stratified squamous epithelium for protection against abrasion; Stomach: simple columnar epithelium for secretion of mucus and digestive enzymes

Oesophagus: pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium for mucus clearance; Stomach: stratified cuboidal epithelium for mechanical protection

Oesophagus: Stratified squamous keratinized epithelium for protection; Stomach: Stratified columnar epithelium for absorption

The normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium containing goblet cells, which increases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

The oesophageal lining develops stratified squamous epithelium, which protects against acid reflux but does not increase cancer risk.

The oesophagus forms ulcerations and fibrous tissue, leading mainly to strictures without significant cancer risk.

The squamous epithelium becomes thickened and keratinized, reducing acid reflux but increasing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Mucosa

Submucosa

Muscularis externa

Serosa

Parietal cells

Chief cells

G cells

Mucous-secreting surface lining cells

It consists of simple squamous epithelium, submucosa, and muscularis externa.

It is made entirely of smooth muscle layers responsible for peristalsis.

It contains surface epithelium, gastric pits, and gastric glands, supported by the lamina propria and muscularis mucosae.

It consists of serosa, adventitia, and subserosal connective tissue.

Goblet cells appear in the stomach lining, increasing mucus secretion to protect against bile.

The epithelium changes from simple columnar to stratified squamous, allowing protection against mechanical stress.

The epithelium changes from simple columnar with gastric pits in the stomach to simple columnar with villi and Brunner’s glands in the duodenum, helping digestion and neutralizing stomach acid.

The muscularis externa becomes thicker, enabling stronger peristalsis to move chyme into the duodenum.

Plicae circulares

Villi

Brunner’s glands

Microvilli

Pyloric glands

Brunner’s glands

Goblet cells

Crypts of Lieberkuhn

Presence of Peyer's patches in the mucosa

More prominent circular folds in the jejunum

Longer anastomotic loops in the jejunum

Thicker muscularis externa in the ileum

Goblet cells

Paneth cells

APUD cells

All of the above

It increases the surface area of the ileum for absorption.

It prevents backflow of colonic contents into the small intestine and regulates chyme passage.

It secretes digestive enzymes to aid in the breakdown of food.

It produces mucus to lubricate the large intestine.

It has specialized folds similar to the small intestine.

It contains numerous goblet cells

It lacks crypts of Lieberkuhn.

It is thinner than that of the small intestine.

Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis Propria, Serosa or Adventitia

Epithelium, Lamina Propria, Muscularis Mucosa, Mesentery

Circular Muscle, Longitudinal Muscle, Vein, Artery

MALT, Gland in mucosa, Gland in submucosa, Lumen