EM 017 Small Intestine

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Small Intestine

Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of the simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells that lines the small intestine.

(enterocytes; light green) - transport molecules across the epithelium
- - increase the surface area of the apical membrane
- - junctional complex of tight junctions (zonula occludens), zonula adherens, and desmosomes (maculae adherens).
- (red) - provide energy for the transport of molecules.
- Cytoplasm (light green)
(dark green) - secrete mucins that form mucus
- (purple) - large, densely packed near the apical surface
- (yellow) - well-developed in this secretory cell
- (cyan) - flattened cisternae fill the cytoplasm
- Cytoplasm (dark green)

Lateral surfaces have extensive between neighboring cells.

The (dark purple) is the thin, fuzzy line that separates the epithelium from the underlying connective tissue.