The distribution of enterochromaffin cells in the human small intestine
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Summary
The distribution of argyrophile and argentaffin cells has been studied in the small intestine of five human adults. In proceeding cranio-caudally the characteristic feature of their distribution is the presence of eight to ten waves of rising and falling density. A progressive decrease in density of cells from duodenum to terminal ileum (described by previous workers) is not present.
Re-examination of findings reported earlier in the small intestines of human foetuses shows that a predominant ‘U’ shaped pattern of distribution is present in younger foetuses. This changes to the adult pattern by full term. The appearance of the adult pattern occurs earlier for argyrophile cells than for argentaffin cells.
Keywords
Small Intestine Characteristic Feature Terminal Ileum Progressive Decrease Human AdultPreview
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