Intraepithelial Glands-Goblet Cells-Unicellular Glands

Goblet cells are found in many epithelial tissues. As intraepithelial gland cells,  they have become the prototype for mucin-producing gland cells. Goblet cells occur in large numbers in the prismatic epithelium of the small and large intestines and the respirator y tract. They produce mucous materials ( mucins). A larger luminal surface is necessary for the discharge of mucins. In the colon,  this is accomplished with the development of tub e-like crypts, which are rich in goblet cells. In this figure, the mucous membranes of the colon are cut parallel to the tissue surface (surface cut). This cut exposes the  deeply invaginate d part of the cr ypt, which contains a particularly large number of goblet cells. Here, they are strikingly distended into large bulbs. They relegate the scanty crop of enterocytes almost to the background.

1 Goblet cells

2 Goblet-cell nuclei

3 Slender enterocytes

4 Lumen of a crypt

5 Lamina propria mucosae

Sur face cut through the mucous membranes of a human colon.

Stain: azan; magnification: × 400

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgar t · New York .