Histology Fact Sheet: Small Intestine

The small intestine is the primary site for absorption of nutrients.

The lymphatic capillary within a villus of the small intestine is a lacteal.

Microvilli that are seen on the epithelial cells in the small intestine form the brush border or striated border.

Villi are finger like projections of mucosa seen in the small intestine.

The plicae circulares is a projection with a core of submucosa. The plicae circulares is also called the valve of Kerckring.

Peyer's patches are large nodules of lymphatic tissue. They are seen in the small intestine.

Brunner's glands are glands in the submucosa of the small intestine.

Histology slide of the small intestine
Histology slide courtesy of Education Interactive, Histology Photo CD