GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the stomach several mucosal defence mechanisms protect the stomach against hydrochloric acid and noxious agents. The pre-epithelial protection is made up by the mucus-bicarbonate barrier. Mucus and bicarbonate, secreted by mucus cells, create a pH gradient maintaining the epithelial cell surface at near neutral pH.

Detailed explanation-2: -Secretion of bicarbonate into the adherent layer of mucus gel creates a pH gradient with a near-neutral pH at the epithelial surfaces in stomach and duodenum, providing the first line of mucosal protection against luminal acid.

Detailed explanation-3: -A major function of the intestinal mucus layer is to form a barrier between the intestinal epithelium and the luminal content to protect the intestine from pathogenic invasion.

Detailed explanation-4: -The intestinal mucus is an efficient system for protecting the epithelium from bacteria by promoting their clearance and separating them from the epithelial cells, thereby inhibiting inflammation and infection.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mucus layer protects the inner lining of the stomach against the HCl present in the gastric juice.