Stomach: gastric glands, parietal and chief cells !
- Organ
The stomach lining is full of tiny pits and glands; some cells make acid, others make enzymes, mucus or hormones.
Updated 2026-11-01
See it in 3D: Stomach
What it is
The gastric mucosa is simple columnar epithelium that dips into gastric pits leading to tubular glands. In the body and fundus these glands hold parietal cells (acid and intrinsic factor) and chief cells (pepsinogen); in the antrum they make mucus and gastrin. The muscularis has an extra oblique layer for churning. These cells explain peptic ulcer, autoimmune gastritis with pernicious anemia, and Helicobacter pylori disease.
Structure
- Surface mucous cells line the surface and pits and secrete a thick, bicarbonate-rich mucus gel.
- Gastric pits are short in the body and fundus and deep in the antrum.
- Parietal cells: large, pale pink (eosinophilic) cells with a central nucleus, mostly in the upper and middle gland.
- Chief cells: basophilic cells with apical zymogen granules at the base of the gland.
- Rugae: folds of mucosa and submucosa that flatten when the stomach fills.
- Muscularis externa: inner oblique, middle circular and outer longitudinal layers; the circular layer thickens into the pyloric sphincter.
Function
- Parietal cells pump acid with the H+/K+ ATPase in their canaliculi; gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine stimulate them.
- Intrinsic factor from parietal cells is needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum.
- Acid converts pepsinogen into pepsin, which starts protein digestion.
Stomach cell types
| Cell | Location | Secretion | Clinical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface mucous cell | Surface and pits, whole stomach | Mucus and bicarbonate | Barrier weakened by NSAIDs and H. pylori |
| Mucous neck cell | Neck of the gland, near the stem cells | Thin mucus | Stem cell zone renews the lining |
| Parietal (oxyntic) cell | Body and fundus, upper gland | Hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor | Target of autoimmune gastritis; loss causes pernicious anemia |
| Chief (zymogenic) cell | Body and fundus, gland base | Pepsinogen and gastric lipase | Pepsin worsens ulcer injury |
| G cell | Antrum | Gastrin | Gastrinoma (Zollinger–Ellison) causes multiple ulcers |
| ECL and D cells | Body (ECL); throughout (D) | Histamine (ECL); somatostatin (D) | Histamine H2 receptors on parietal cells are a drug target |
Clinical notes
- Helicobacter pylori lives in the mucus layer, mostly of the antrum, and causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, intestinal metaplasia, gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma; it remains common in Colombia.
- Autoimmune gastritis attacks body and fundus parietal cells, causing low acid and vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Diffuse gastric cancer shows signet ring cells that infiltrate and stiffen the wall.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which gastric cell secretes intrinsic factor?
The parietal (oxyntic) cell of the body and fundus, the same cell that secretes hydrochloric acid.
Where in the gastric gland are chief cells found?
At the base of the glands of the body and fundus; they are basophilic because of their abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Which part of the stomach contains most G cells?
The antrum (pyloric region), where the glands are mainly mucous and the cells release gastrin into the blood.
Why does autoimmune gastritis cause megaloblastic anemia?
Antibodies destroy parietal cells and intrinsic factor, so vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed in the ileum.
What structural feature is unique to the gastric muscularis externa?
An extra inner oblique layer of smooth muscle, which helps churn food into chyme.
See it in 3D
The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.
Related
- The GI tract wall: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa; enteric plexuses
- Enteroendocrine cells and GALT
- Small intestine: villi, crypts, enterocytes, Paneth cells; duodenum vs jejunum vs ileum
Related conditions
Microorganisms
Educational content on normal microscopic structure and its clinical relevance; no substitute for studying slides or for a health professional's advice.
Sources: 23.4 The Stomach - Anatomy and Physiology 2e | OpenStax (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022); Stomach | SEER Training (National Cancer Institute (SEER Training), 2026); Helicobacter pylori Infections | H. pylori | MedlinePlus (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.