Gastric glands
Gastric Glands
Gastric glands (/ˈɡæstrɪk ɡlændz/), derived from the Latin words "gaster" (stomach) and "glandula" (small gland), are specialized structures found in the stomach that play a crucial role in the process of digestion.
Anatomy
Gastric glands are located in the lining of the stomach mucosa. They are tubular in structure and are composed of different types of cells, each with a specific function. These include mucous neck cells, parietal cells, chief cells, and enteroendocrine cells.
Function
The primary function of gastric glands is to secrete gastric juice, a mixture of hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen, intrinsic factor, and mucus. This secretion aids in the breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients, and protection of the stomach lining from the acidic environment.
Related Terms
- Stomach: The organ where gastric glands are located.
- Digestion: The process in which gastric glands play a crucial role.
- Mucous neck cells: One of the cell types found in gastric glands.
- Parietal cells: Another cell type in gastric glands, responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid.
- Chief cells: Cells in gastric glands that secrete pepsinogen.
- Enteroendocrine cells: Cells in gastric glands that secrete various hormones.
- Hydrochloric acid: A component of gastric juice secreted by parietal cells.
- Pepsinogen: A component of gastric juice secreted by chief cells.
- Intrinsic factor: A glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells in the stomach.
- Mucus: A protective secretion by mucous neck cells in the stomach.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastric glands
- Wikipedia's article - Gastric glands
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