A goblet cell: features of a structure, variants of names and a place of localization

The human body is millions of cells of different shapes, shapes and sizes. They are so small that they can be examined and studied only under a microscope. In fact, the cells are microscopic bricks, from which the tissues, organ systems and the whole organism are built. Despite the difference in form, all cells are characterized by a general outline of the structure. They consist of an outer membrane, a central core and a semi-fluid cytoplasm. It is possible to speak about cells of different species for a long time, but in this article only one species, called goblet cells, will be considered. We will try to understand what they are, where they are localized and how they function.

Name variants

Such cells are known by several names. The phrase "enterocyte goblet", "goblet exocrinocide" and "goblet granulocyte" is often used. In Latin, the goblet cell is called enterocytus caliciformis. Sometimes the term "goblet cell" is used, which also means a goblet cell. All these terms are equivalent to each other and used as synonyms.

The name reflected an unusual form of cells. They look like a tall narrow glass, slightly widening upward.

Cells of this species belong to the epithelium of the mucous membranes and are engaged in the production of mucus. They are present in the body of both humans and animals.

Localization. Intestines

The goblet cell is part of the epithelium of several human organs. One of the places of localization is the intestine. The epithelium of the intestine has a rather complex structure. It unites several types of enterocytes, among which are limy, goblet, acidophilic, calcareous, endocrine, slightly differentiated and others. All of them are unicellular glands with different functions. So, for example, epithelial epithelial cells are involved in parietal digestion and absorption. Goblets are responsible for the production of mucus (see below for more details). Endocrine cells produce hormones of the intestinal tract, the acidophilic cells of Pannet produce several digestive enzymes. The function of malodifferentiated cells is the regeneration of the epithelium.

Goblet cells of the intestine are located on intestinal villi. They are built one by one between the limb cells. On the vertex parts of the villi and in the tubular indentations of the mucous membrane, called the libericula glands or intestinal crypts, the goblet cells are not found. Although there are rare exceptions.

In the small intestine cells of this species are larger. 9.5% of enterocytes - goblet cells of epithelium. Moreover, their number increases along the distal direction of the intestine. They are evenly distributed over the upper part of the crypts and the base of the villi; on the villi themselves, they are much smaller.

Airways

Another place of localization of goblet exocrine cells is the respiratory tract. Here, almost 30% of the epithelium consists of these cells. The cells are also located singly. They have vacuoles filled with a mucous secret. Vacuoles occupy an extended apical part. The narrowed part of the cell contains the Golgi complex and a host of mitochondria. The goblet cell of the respiratory tract is provided with microvilli, which become more noticeable after mucus secretion.

Isolation of mucus is cyclical, which depends on external factors, that is, on temperature and humidity.

Goblet cells of conjunctiva

The next place of localization of goblet cells is the conjunctiva of the eye. There are quite a lot of them in the conjunctiva mucosa. The secret secreted by these cells differs from the mucus secreted by the epithelium in other organs. Goblet cells of the conjunctiva are located on the basal layer and have an oval and round shape. Slime, which they synthesize and secrete, binds to a kind of network that captures and fixes foreign bodies and bacteria. During the flashing, the network breaks and moves to the medial edge, removing debris and bacteria from the eye.

Goblet cells of the pancreas

Goblet cells are present in the excretory ducts of the pancreas. They are not located along the entire length of the ducts, but in their wide part. Here the exocrine glands form the mucous membrane.

Parotid salivary gland

The salivary gland is also saturated with goblet cells. They are located near the mouth and secrete mucus, which can supply a chemical barrier to microbes. With age, the number of goblet cells in the parotid salivary glands decreases. The antimicrobial barrier weakens.

More about features

Goblet cells produce insoluble mucus, which is called mucin. Mucin lining the mucous membrane, sometimes accumulating up to a thickness of 1.5 mm. To form it, the mutitogenic granules absorb water and swell. Slime goblet cells has several functions. In the stomach, pancreas and intestines, it moistens the mucous membranes of organs, promotes the contents of the stomach and intestines, is part of the process of parietal digestion. In the conjunctiva, in addition to moistening, it has a protective function, in the salivary glands it has a protective function.

Antibodies of goblet cells

In the normal state, antibodies to goblet cells are absent in the blood. If these antibodies are detected in the analysis of blood from a vein, then the patient has ulcerative colitis. Therefore, the analysis of goblet cell antibodies is prescribed for the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.