What is the intestinal mucosa?
The intestinal mucosa, also called the stomach mucosa, is the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It surrounds the lumen, the hollow space in the center of the tract through which the food passes. The mucous membrane excludes a layer of mucus that protects cells and helps to move along the gastrointestinal tract. It is surrounded by submucose. This layer supports the mucosa and connects it with a layer of muscle that surrounds it and moves the intestinal food. The final outer layer is a layer of covering tissue. This is called adventitia or serosa, depending on its position in the body; Serosa covers the organs in front of the peritoneum, while adventitia is behind it. The layer of lumen consists of epithelium. This layer is covered with small holes called fovelae, which connect to the pipes that supply the water and mucus. Nutrients are absorbed by the epithelium.
Another layer of intestinal mucosa is lamina propria, which supports the epithelium. In this layer there are also glands that produce mucus and digestive secretions. In the small intestine containE Lamina propria also a central lymphatic vessel.
The final and farthest layer is laminate muscularis mucosae. This thin layer of muscle separates the lamina propria and submucose. Gently bends and distributes the mucous membrane, so the glands of the lamina propria are excluded into the lumen. The constant movement of this layer also brings the epithelium into contact with the lumen content, which helps in the absorption of nutrients.
The function of the intestinal mucosa varies depending on its position in the gastrointestinal tract. In the esophagus, food moves without helping in Digestion. In the stomach it must withstand low pH of stomach acids. In the small intestine it absorbs nutrients, while in the large intestine it extracts water and leaves waste for excretion.
As its function changes, its structure will also change. In the stomach of the gland, they exclude not only mucus but also stomach acid. The glands on the fundus or the base of the stomach also excrete the hormonal pepsinogen whoPEPSIN enzyme. In the intestines, the surface of the intestinal mucosa is composed and wrinkled to maximize its surface area, allowing it to get into contact for digestion more.