Explains how to recognise the single-layer prismatic secretory epithelium lining the gastric fundus in H&E sections, where every surface cell secretes mucus. Covers the staining of nuclei and apical mucus, the tall columnar cells lining the surface and gastric pits, and the fundic glands beneath them with parietal and chief cells. Includes a comparison with intestinal epithelium, which has goblet cells and a brush border.
Inside: 1 section · 1 min
Topic 102 of 127 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Cytology (Dental Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 114 words (1 min of reading).
In this note
Introduction
Introduction
The surface of the stomach is lined by a simple columnar (prismatic) epithelium in which every cell secretes mucus.
Stain
H&E: nuclei blue-purple; the apical mucus of the surface cells stays pale.
How to recognise it
Tall columnar cells line the surface and the gastric pits (foveolae).
A pale cup of mucus fills the top of each cell, with an oval nucleus at the base.
No goblet cells and no villi.
Below the pits are fundic glands, with pink, round parietal cells and basophilic chief cells.
Don't confuse it with: the intestine, where separate goblet cells sit among absorptive cells with a brush border.
Theory: topics 37 (simple surface epithelia) and 39 (exocrine glands).
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