Page 319 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 8.15 ■ Longitudinal and transverse section of smooth muscle in the
wall of the small intestine. Stain: hematoxylin and eosin. High magnification.

FIGURE 8.16 | Smooth Muscle: Wall of Small

Intestine (Transverse and Longitudinal Section)

A photomicrograph of the small intestine illustrates its muscular outer wall. The
smooth muscle fibers are arranged in two layers: an inner circular layer (7) and
an outer longitudinal layer (8). In the inner circular layer (7), a single nucleus

(1) is visible in the center of the cytoplasm (2) of different fibers. In the outer
longitudinal layer (8), cut in transverse section, the cytoplasm (5) appears
empty, and single nuclei (6) of individual muscle fibers are visible if the plane of
section passes through them. Located between the two smooth muscle layers is a

group of autonomic neurons of the myenteric nerve plexus (3). Small blood
vessels (4) are seen between individual muscle fibers and muscle layers.

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