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Meconium containing intestinal structures: a histological study using human fetuses.

Jun Zhang1, Zhe-Wu Jin2, Feng Han2

  • 1Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, China.

Anatomy & Cell Biology
|February 12, 2026
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Fetal meconium contains unique structures, including detached intestinal villi and epithelial cells. These findings suggest specific mechanisms, potentially including in utero intussusception, contribute to meconium formation.

Keywords:
ColonDefoliated villiHuman fetusMeconiumMuscularis mucosae

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Histology

Background:

  • Meconium, the first fetal stool, is primarily composed of intestinal epithelial cells, bile, and mucus.
  • The precise architectural origins and formation mechanisms of meconium components remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the histological architecture of meconium in human fetuses.
  • To identify the cellular and tissue origins of meconium structures, including meconium corpuscles and detached mucosal elements.

Main Methods:

  • Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of abdominal tissue sections from 40 fetuses (20-31 weeks gestation).
  • Microscopic examination of meconium samples to characterize corpuscle and tissue composition.

Main Results:

  • Identified distinct "meconium corpuscles" in solid meconium (colon/rectum) composed of atrophied cells and fibrous sheaths.
  • Observed loose meconium (stomach, duodenum, colon) containing mucosal folds, villi, and fragmented epithelia.
  • Detected chromogranin-positive and cytokeratin-positive cells within meconium, indicating mucosal origin.
  • Ring-like structures suggested detachment of entire mucosal layers, potentially via mechanisms beyond simple apoptosis-driven defoliation.

Conclusions:

  • Meconium formation involves not only defoliated villi but also the incorporation of intact or detached mucosal elements.
  • The presence of large detached mucosal structures points towards specific intrauterine events, such as intussusception, playing a role in meconium composition.