1. Histology of the Digestive System
Basic Histological Layers
1. Mucosa
a. Epithelium
b. Lamina Propria
c. Muscularis Mucosae
2. Submucosa
a. Submucosal plexus
“Plexus of Meissner”
3. Muscularis
a. Myenteric plexus
“Plexus of Auerbach
4. Serosa
2. Histology of the Mucosa
Simple Columnar
Large Intestine
Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Esophagus
Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Anus
Simple Columnar
Small Intestine
Simple Columnar
Stomach
Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Pharynx
Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous
Mouth
Epithelium
Organ
3. Histology of the Mucosa
L: Plicae circulares, Villi S: Crypts
of Lieberkuhn, microvilli
Small Intestine
L: Haustra S: Intestinal glands
Large Intestine
L: Rugae, S: gastric pits
Stomach
none
Esophagus
Folds of the epithelium
Organ
4. Histology of the Submucosa
Brunner’s glands
Duodenum
None
Large Intestine
Peyer’s Patches
Ileum
None
Stomach
Submucosal mucous glands
Esophagus
Specialized structures
Organ
5. Histology of the Muscularis
2, circular and longitudinal
Small Intestine
2, circular and longitudinal
Large Intestine
3, oblique, circular, and longitudinal
Stomach
2, circular and longitudinal
Esophagus
Smooth muscle layers
Organ
6. Histology of the Serosa
Visceral Peritoneum
Large Intestine
Adventitia
Anus
Visceral Peritoneum
Small Intestine
Visceral Peritoneum
Stomach
Adventitia due to the fact that the
esophagus is not in a cavity
Esophagus
Serosa
Organ
