Colon surface. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of the glandular surface of the wall (mucosa) of the human colon. At centre is a large open

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Colon surface. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of the glandular surface of the wall (mucosa) of the human colon. At centre is a large opening or Crypt of Lieberkuhn of a tubular gland (yellow). Around it (blue) and making up the gland are two types of epithelial cells: enterocytes covered in tiny bumps (microvilli) that enhance water absorption; goblet cells that occur in the small rounded depressions seen here, and which secrete mucus. The glandular colon wall is lubricated with mucus, and functions to produce faeces by absorbing water and vitamins from the food residue. Magnification: x1,180 at 6x7cm size. x1,430 at 4x5ins

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Size: 3543px × 2957px
Photo credit: © PROFESSORS P.M. MOTTA & F.M. MAGLIOCCA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomy, body, colon, crypts, digestive, epithelium, gland, glands, gut, human, intestine, large, lieberkuhn, mucosa, mucous, secreting, surface, system