This section shows the simple columnar epithelium that covers the surfaces
of the finger-like villi that extend into the lumen of the small intestine.
This single cell layer contains two types of cells: (1) absorptive
cells, characterized by relatively straight sides, pale-stained
cytoplasm and elliptical nuclei located in the basal half of the cells; and
(2) mucous-secreting goblet cells, characterized
by a bulging apex, filled with mucous droplets that do not stain with either
hematoxylin or eosin, and flattened nuclei (not always seen) compressed into
the base of the cell.
