Small Intestine

by R. Bick, B. Poindexter, G. Klein (utmb Galveston), Ut Medical School/science Photo Library

Title

Small Intestine

Artist

R. Bick, B. Poindexter, G. Klein (utmb Galveston), Ut Medical School/science Photo Library

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Small intestine. Fluorescence deconvolution micrograph showing a section through the myenteric, or Auerbach's, plexus of the small intestine. Smooth muscle cell nuclei, in the muscularis externa (diagonal, top right), and axonal cell nuclei are shown in blue. Red shows calcium-sensing proteins. This network of cells controls local intestinal wall movement. When the wall is stretched by its contents, nerves in the plexus cause the muscles (green) above the dilation to contract and those below it to relax. This results in a wave-like movement of the gut wall (peristalsis) which squeezes the contents along the intestine. Magnification: x400 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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September 13th, 2018

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