Gastroinestinal/Hepatobiliary Histology Objectives
MHD II 2012-13
Gastrointestinal Histology
On H&E stained sections, identify the four general layers of the digestive tract organs
(esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon): Mucosa; submucosa; muscularis externa, and
adventitia/serosa
On H&E stained sections identify the following components of the mucosa: epithelium, lamina
propria, muscularis mucosa
Describe the components of the submucosal layer of the digestive organs
Explain the location of Meissner plexus vs Auerbach plexus and describe the function of each
Name the type of epithelium comprising the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel,
appendix, colon and anal canal.
Describe the composition of the lower esophageal sphincter and its function
Name the four parts of the stomach.
Identify gastric pits and explain their function.
On high power H&E stained sections distinguish parietal cells from chief cells. List the
substances secreted by each of the cells.
Describe the composition of the pyloric sphincter and its function.
Identify the following key components of the small intestine:
Duodenum: villi, Brunner glands
Jejunum: villi
Ileum: villi, goblet cells, Peyer patches
Define Crypts (or Glands) of Lieberkuhn.
Contrast villi vs plicae circulares
On H&E stained sections distinguish colon from small intestine.
Define taenia coli.
In H&E stained sections of pancreas distinguish the endocrine components of the pancreas
from the exocrine components.
Gastroinestinal/Hepatobiliary Histology Objectives
MHD II 2012-13
In H&e stained sections of pancreas identify pancreatic acinar cells vs ducts.
Hepatobiliary Histology
On a low power H&E stained section outline a liver lobule.
Identify the components of the portal triad: portal vein, hepatic artery, bile ductule.
Identify hepatic sinusoids and describe the endothelium that lines the sinusoids.
List the structures that form the space of Disse.
Define “Kupfer cells” and their function.
Describe the location of bile canaliculi and their function.
Describe the path of blood flow as it is filtered through the liver.
Describe the path of bile flow from the liver to the gall bladder.
Explain the rationale of dividing the hepatic acinus into three zones.
Identify the three layers of the gallbladder: mucosa, muscularis and serosa/adventitia.