concept

Lamina propria

The lamina propria forms the connective tissue core of the villi and surrounds the crypt epithelium. The crypt and villus epithelial cells and the lamina propria are separated by a distinct basement membrane composed of an ultrastructurally apparent basal lamina and a deeper network of collagenous fibers. The lamina propria is composed of noncellular connective tissue elements, i.e., collagen and elastin, blood and lymphatic vessels, and myofibroblasts supporting villi. However, the main characteristic of the lamina propria is to contain numerous immunologically competent cells as well as nerve endings. The most numerous cell types are mononuclear cells, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. Plasma cells contain immunoglobulin (IgA or IgM) and are concentrated more in the intercrypt region. Lymphocytes, both B and T cells, are found throughout the lamina propria but often form more dense infiltrates just above the muscularis mucosae. Other cell types are more sparsely distributed, including eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. However, macrophages are mostly located along the superior part of the lamina propria near the tip of the villi. Numerous nerves endings are present in the lamina propria, many of which are in close contact with mast cells.

Ref:
Gaëlle Boudry, Ping-Chang Yang, Mary H. Perdue, Small Intestine, Anatomy, Editor(s): Leonard R. Johnson, Encyclopedia of Gastroenterology, Elsevier, 2004, Pages 404-409, ISBN 9780123868602, https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-386860-2/00648-1. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B0123868602006481)

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Added on Sep 24, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer

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