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Related Concept Videos

Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions01:13

Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions

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Exocrine glands produce and release a variety of glandular products. Exocrine glands can be classified into serous, mucous, or mixed types based on their secretory products.
Serous glands produce watery secretions rich in digestive enzymes and proteins. The constituent cells of the serous gland have centrally located nuclei and eosinophilic secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The parotid gland is an example of a serous gland. It secretes saliva, which contains enzymes, such as lipases and...
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Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach01:25

Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach

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The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
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Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Glandular Epithelium01:20

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Glandular Epithelium

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The glandular epithelium is made of one or more epithelial cells modified to synthesize and secrete chemical substances. Glandular epithelia can be classified based on cell number. Unicellular glands have individual secretory cells scattered across the epithelial monolayer. In contrast, multicellular glands consist of a hollow tubular duct attached to the cluster of secretory cells located in the deep pockets.
Multicellular glands are formed during early development when epithelial budding...
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Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands01:29

Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands

34.0K
Exocrine glands are classified as unicellular and multicellular. The unicellular glands are scattered single cells, such as goblet cells, found in the mucous membranes of the small and large intestines. On the other hand, multicellular exocrine glands develop as secretory sheets, like the internal lining of the abdomen or chest. Such secretory sheets release their secretions directly into the lumen of these organs. In addition, some multicellular glands have deep-seated secretory units to...
34.0K
Microvilli00:55

Microvilli

11.5K
Microvilli are tiny finger-like projections found on the surface of certain cells. Their purpose is to increase the surface area of the cell's apical surface, resulting in more effective absorption or secretion of substances.
These microvilli are predominantly present in cells lining the small intestine, kidney tubules, and certain cells in the respiratory and reproductive systems. By significantly expanding the surface area of the cell membrane, microvilli enhance the cell's capacity...
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Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion01:08

Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion

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Exocrine glands are those that release their secretions through ducts. Based on their mode of secretion, they can be classified into merocrine, apocrine, and holocrine.
Merocrine Secretion
Merocrine secretion is the most common type of exocrine secretion. The secretions are enclosed in vesicles and moved to the cell's apical surface, where the contents are released by exocytosis. For example, mucous, a watery secretion rich in the glycoprotein mucin, is a merocrine secretion. The eccrine...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging
05:10

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2025

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New developments in goblet cell mucus secretion and function.

G M H Birchenough1, M E V Johansson1, J K Gustafsson1

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Mucosal Immunology
|April 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Goblet cells, crucial for intestinal health, secrete mucus. Their varied functions and regulation in the small and large intestines are key to understanding mucosal immunology.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Goblet cells and their mucus secretions were historically undervalued.
  • Recent research highlights their central role in intestinal mucosal biology and immunology.
  • The intestinal mucus system, primarily MUC2 mucin polymers, shows significant differences between the small and large intestines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct functions and regulatory mechanisms of goblet cells in different intestinal regions.
  • To underscore the importance of these differences for a comprehensive understanding of mucosal immunology.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of goblet cell types based on location and function.
  • Investigation of secretion regulation in surface colonic goblet cells versus crypt goblet cells (colonic and small intestinal).

Main Results:

  • Goblet cells and their secretion processes differ substantially between the small and large intestines.
  • Surface colonic goblet cells exhibit continuous secretion for inner mucus layer maintenance.
  • Colonic and small intestinal crypt goblet cells secrete mucus upon specific stimulation (e.g., endocytosis, acetylcholine).

Conclusions:

  • Goblet cell function and regulation are fundamental to intestinal mucosal immunology.
  • Despite recent advances, the full understanding of goblet cell biology remains incomplete.