DR RAJESH K KAUSHAL ANATOMY REVISION PROGRAMME · FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016
Q12. Identify the cell that secretesintrinsic factor in gastric glands.(AIIMS pattern 2016)
Q12. Identify the cell that secretes intrinsic factor in gastric glands. (AIIMS pattern 2016)
LM of part of gastric mucosa, showing cells in gastric glands
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D
Ans. a) A.
Explanation: Parietal cell secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor in the gastric
glands. It is identified by the large size, relatively clear cytoplasm in the cell.
A: Parietal cell, B: Mucus neck cell, C: Surface mucus cell, D: Chief cell
535 x
A. Parietal (Oxyntic) cell:
1. Lightly eosinophilic large cuboidal cell, with central spherical nucleus (fried egg
appearance).
2. Relatively clear cytoplasm.
3. Predominantly present in the upper half of the gland , more so in the body region
of the gastric gland.
• Gastric intrinsic factor is essential for absorption of vitamin B12 (and erythropoiesis). In
pernicious anaemia, autoantobodies destroy the parietal cells leading to deficiency of
intrinsic factor and resultant vit. B12 absorption, which further leads to
megaloblastic anaemia.
Gastric gland Cell types
B. Mucus cell:
1. Small, dark stained, columnar cell
2. Located close to gastric pit (neck region of gastric gland)
C. Chief cell:
1. Small, basophilic columnar cell
2. More numerous in the lower half of the gland more so at the base (fundus) of the
gastric gland.
3. Contain zymogen granules/pepsinogen.
D. Neuroendocrine cell:
1. Small cells, found at the deeper areas base (fundus) of the gastric gland, along
with chief cells.
2. The secretory activities of the chief and parietal cells are controlled by the autonomic
nervous system and the hormone gastrin, secreted by the enteroendocrine cells of
the pyloric region of the stomach.
The enteroendocrine cells are also called APUD (amine precursor uptake and
decarboxylation) cells.
E. Stem cell:
1. Pluripotent cell, located at the isthmus region of gastric gland.
2. Helps in repair of gastric epithelium.