Notes
Mucosal epithelium of the GI tract undergoes a sharp transformation at the junction between the stomach and the esophagus.
A pathological condition known as Barrett's esophagus can yield a similar appearance, of adjacent regions of squamous and columnar mucosa.
Esophageal mucosa is lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
The stomach is lined by simple columnar epithelium.
The surface mucous cells which comprise the gastric epithelium secrete a sticky, protective mucous, but the esophageal lining has no such protection.
The "solid" appearance of the gastric pits is an artifact of sectioning. The plane of section has passed tangentially along the side of the pit, so that tips of the surface mucous cells appear to fill the pit.
Lymphocytes are abundant in the lamina propria of this specimen.
Related examples:
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Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu
SIUC / School
of Medicine / Anatomy / David
King
https://histology.siu.edu/erg/GI086b.htm
Last updated: 9 May 2022 / dgk