Brunner's glands: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:20, 16 February 2025

Anatomical structures in the duodenum

Brunner's glands are specialized anatomical structures located in the submucosa of the duodenum, which is the first section of the small intestine. These glands are named after the Swiss anatomist Johann Conrad Brunner, who first described them in the late 17th century.

Structure

Brunner's glands are compound tubular submucosal glands found predominantly in the duodenum, although they may extend into the proximal jejunum. They are situated in the submucosa layer, beneath the mucosa and above the muscularis externa. The glands are composed of clusters of secretory cells that produce an alkaline, mucus-rich fluid.

Function

The primary function of Brunner's glands is to secrete an alkaline fluid containing bicarbonate. This secretion serves several purposes:

Neutralization of gastric acid: The alkaline secretion helps to neutralize the acidic chyme that enters the duodenum from the stomach, protecting the intestinal lining from damage.
Providing an optimal pH for enzyme activity: The neutralization of acid creates a more favorable environment for the activity of digestive enzymes such as pancreatic enzymes and intestinal enzymes.
Lubrication: The mucus component of the secretion aids in lubricating the intestinal contents, facilitating their movement through the digestive tract.

Clinical significance

Brunner's glands can be involved in various pathological conditions:

Brunner's gland hyperplasia: This is a benign condition characterized by an increase in the number and size of Brunner's glands. It is often asymptomatic but can sometimes cause duodenal obstruction or bleeding.
Brunner's gland adenoma: A rare benign tumor that arises from Brunner's glands. It may present with symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction.
Peptic ulcer disease: Although not directly caused by Brunner's glands, the protective alkaline secretion from these glands plays a role in preventing ulcer formation by neutralizing gastric acid.

Related pages

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-'''Brunner's glands''' (or '''duodenal glands''') are compound tubular submucosal glands found in that portion of the [[duodenum]] which is above the [[hepatopancreatic sphincter]] (also known as the sphincter of Oddi). The main function of these glands is to produce a mucus-rich alkaline secretion i.e. mucous (containing bicarbonate) in order to:
+{{Short description|Anatomical structures in the duodenum}}
-* Protect the duodenum from the acidic content of chyme (which is neutralized by the bicarbonate in the duodenal glands' secretions)
+[[File:Duodenum-brunner's_glands.JPG|thumb|right|Micrograph of Brunner's glands in the duodenum]]
-* Provide an alkaline condition for the intestinal enzymes to be active, thus enabling absorption to take place
-* Lubricate the intestinal walls
-They also secrete urogastrone, which inhibits parietal and chief cells of the stomach from secreting acid and their digestive enzymes. This is another form of protection for the duodenum.
+'''Brunner's glands''' are specialized anatomical structures located in the submucosa of the [[duodenum]], which is the first section of the [[small intestine]]. These glands are named after the Swiss anatomist Johann Conrad Brunner, who first described them in the late 17th century.
-== Structure ==
+==Structure==
+Brunner's glands are compound tubular submucosal glands found predominantly in the duodenum, although they may extend into the proximal jejunum. They are situated in the submucosa layer, beneath the [[mucosa]] and above the [[muscularis externa]]. The glands are composed of clusters of secretory cells that produce an alkaline, mucus-rich fluid.
-Brunner's glands are found in the submucosa of the duodenum, which distinguishes them from the majority of other gastrointestinal glands, including the gastric and intestinal glands, which are in the mucosa. They are most numerous near the [[pylorus]]. They secrete their contents into the intestinal glands.
+==Function==
+The primary function of Brunner's glands is to secrete an alkaline fluid containing [[bicarbonate]]. This secretion serves several purposes:
-== Function ==
+* '''Neutralization of gastric acid''': The alkaline secretion helps to neutralize the acidic chyme that enters the duodenum from the [[stomach]], protecting the intestinal lining from damage.
+* '''Providing an optimal pH for enzyme activity''': The neutralization of acid creates a more favorable environment for the activity of [[digestive enzymes]] such as [[pancreatic enzymes]] and [[intestinal enzymes]].
+* '''Lubrication''': The mucus component of the secretion aids in lubricating the intestinal contents, facilitating their movement through the digestive tract.
-The function of Brunner's glands is to produce an alkaline secretion (containing bicarbonate) which:
+==Clinical significance==
+Brunner's glands can be involved in various pathological conditions:
-* Helps to neutralize gastric acid in the chyme
+* '''Brunner's gland hyperplasia''': This is a benign condition characterized by an increase in the number and size of Brunner's glands. It is often asymptomatic but can sometimes cause duodenal obstruction or bleeding.
-* Provides an alkaline environment for the pancreatic enzymes to function optimally
+* '''Brunner's gland adenoma''': A rare benign tumor that arises from Brunner's glands. It may present with symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction.
-* Lubricates the intestinal walls to aid the passage of chyme
+* '''Peptic ulcer disease''': Although not directly caused by Brunner's glands, the protective alkaline secretion from these glands plays a role in preventing ulcer formation by neutralizing gastric acid.
-== Clinical significance ==
+==Related pages==
-Hyperplasia of Brunner's glands (Brunner's gland hyperplasia) can lead to the formation of a Brunner's gland adenoma, a type of non-cancerous tumor. These adenomas are relatively rare and typically benign. They can cause obstruction and bleeding, but are typically asymptomatic unless they become large.
-== See also ==
-* [[Gastrointestinal tract]]
 * [[Duodenum]]
-* [[Pylorus]]
+* [[Small intestine]]
+* [[Digestive system]]
 * [[Gastric acid]]
-* [[Chyme]]
+* [[Pancreatic enzymes]]
-== References ==
-{{reflist}}
-[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
+[[Category:Anatomy of the digestive system]]
-[[Category:Digestive system]]
+[[Category:Glands]]
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
-{{anatomy-stub}}