Intestinal gland

Intestinal gland

The Intestinal gland, also known as crypts of Lieberkühn, are small tubular structures found in the lining of the small intestine. They are named after the German doctor Johann Nathanael Lieberkühn, who first described them in the 18th century.

Etymology

The term "crypts of Lieberkühn" is derived from the name of Johann Nathanael Lieberkühn, a German physician and anatomist who first described these structures in 1745. The term "intestinal gland" is a more descriptive term, referring to the glandular function of these structures in the intestine.

Structure

The intestinal glands are located in the mucosa layer of the small intestine, specifically in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. They are tubular in shape and extend from the base of the intestinal villi into the underlying muscularis mucosae. Each gland is lined by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells.

Function

The primary function of the intestinal glands is to produce intestinal juice, a slightly alkaline secretion that aids in the digestion and absorption of food. The glands secrete a variety of enzymes, including peptidase, sucrase, maltase, and lactase, which break down proteins and carbohydrates in the food we eat. They also play a role in the immune response of the intestine, with some cells in the glands producing antimicrobial peptides.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the intestinal glands can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, celiac disease is associated with damage to the villi and glands of the small intestine, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. Colorectal cancer can also originate from the cells lining the intestinal glands.

See also

• Gastrointestinal tract
• Digestive enzyme
• Goblet cell

References

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Intestinal_gland

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  Small intestine low magnification
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  Colonic crypts within four tissue sections
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  Crypt branching high magnification
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  Cryptitis high magnification
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  Histopathology of a crypt abscess