Development of mucosa of the human ileum
Verma, K.B.
Journal of Anatomy 128(Pt 3): 513-521
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-8782 PMID: 468706 Document Number: 145226
The histological and histochemical study on the mucosa of the fetal human ileum was procured to establish the time of onset of exchange between gut epithelium and swallowed amniotic fluid. Human fetuses [20] between 28-140 days gestation were procured at hysterotomy. The fetuses were opened and specimens of ileum were taken at a constant distance from the ileo-cecal junction. A normal histology, glycogen and alkaline phosphatase activity were studied in mucosa. From 112 days onwards, the perinuclear, supranuclear and infranuclear vacuolation, striate border and basement membrane of the columnar epithelium of the villi, and very close proximity of the latter to blood vessels, all support the idea that the cells actively engaged in transport of materials. Alkaline phosphatase and glycogen become conspicuous in the cells at this stage. By 112 days the epithelial cells of the ileum may absorb glucose from the amniotic fluid as well as secret mucus.