This section shows
a villus of the ileum, part of the small intestine. The surface of these finger
like extensions of the intestinal wall is covered by a simple columnar epithelium
(Ep). This single cell layer contains two types of cells: (1) absorptive
cells (AC), characterized by relatively straight sides, pale-stained
cytoplasm and elongated, oval-shaped nuclei (ACNu) located in the basal half
of the cells; and (2) mucous-secreting goblet cells
(GC), characterized by a bulging apex, filled with mucous droplets that do
not stain with either hematoxylin or eosin, and flattened nuclei (GCNu) (not
always seen) compressed into the base of the cell. The covers a core of connective
tissue (CT)
