Enterocyte
Enterocyte
Enterocyte (pronounced: en-ter-o-site) is a type of cell found in the epithelium of the small intestine.
Etymology
The term "enterocyte" is derived from the Greek words "enteron" meaning intestine, and "kytos" meaning cell.
Definition
An enterocyte is a specialized epithelial cell that lines the inner surface of the small intestine and colon. These cells play a crucial role in the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat. They are responsible for the final stages of digestion and the uptake of nutrients into the bloodstream.
Structure
Enterocytes are columnar in shape and have a brush border of microvilli on their apical surface. This increases the surface area for absorption. They are joined together by tight junctions to prevent the passage of harmful substances into the bloodstream.
Function
The primary function of enterocytes is to absorb nutrients from the lumen of the small intestine into the bloodstream. They do this through a process called active transport, where nutrients are moved against a concentration gradient using energy. Enterocytes also have a role in the immune response of the gut, as they can present antigens to immune cells.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Enterocyte
- Wikipedia's article - Enterocyte
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski