Crypts of large intestine
Cryptae intestini crassi
- Latin synonym: Cryptae intestinales intestini crassi; Glandulae intestinales intestini crassi
- Synonym: Intestinal crypts of large intestine; Intestinal glands of large intestine
- Latin eponym: Cryptae Lieberkühni
- Eponym: Crypts of Lieberkühn
- Related terms: Intestinal glands
Definition
The crypts of large intestine (a.k.a. the crypts of Lieberkühn) are numerous straight, tubular glands that extend from the luminal surface to the muscularis mucosae throughout the large intestine. Unlike the small intestine, the colonic mucosa lacks villi, these crypts occupy almost the entire mucosal surface and are longer, more numerous, and more closely packed than those of the small intestine, giving the mucosa a characteristic cribriform (sieve-like) appearance.
The crypts of large intestine are lined by simple columnar epithelium and contain abundant goblet cells, absorptive cells (colonocytes), stem cells, and enteroendocrine cells. Goblet cells increase in number toward the rectum and produce mucus that lubricates faecal material and protects the mucosa.
Functional correlates
The crypts are responsible for mucus secretion, water and electrolyte absorption, and continuous epithelial renewal through stem cell activity at their bases.
References
Prochazkova, M., Chavez, M.G., Prochazka, J., Felfy, H., Mushegyan, V. and Klein, O.D. (2015) Embryionic versus adult stem cells, in Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering in Dental Sciences. Amsterdam: Academic Press, pp. 249262.
Standring, S. (2015) Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Chapter 66, Large intestine.
