<P> The epithelium , the most exposed part of the mucosa , is a glandular epithelium with many goblet cells . Goblet cells secrete mucus , which lubricates the passage of food along and protects the intestinal wall from digestive enzymes . In the small intestine , villi are folds of the mucosa that increase the surface area of the intestine . The villi contain a lacteal , a vessel connected to the lymph system that aids in the removal of lipids and tissue fluids . Microvilli are present on the epithelium of a villus and further increase the surface area over which absorption can take place . Numerous intestinal glands as pocket - like invaginations are present in the underlying tissue . In the large intestines , villi are absent and a flat surface with thousands of glands is observed . Underlying the epithelium is the lamina propria , which contains myofibroblasts , blood vessels , nerves , and several different immune cells , and the muscularis mucosa which is a layer of smooth muscle that aids in the action of continued peristalsis and catastalsis along the gut . </P>
<P> The epithelium , the most exposed part of the mucosa , is a glandular epithelium with many goblet cells . Goblet cells secrete mucus , which lubricates the passage of food along and protects the intestinal wall from digestive enzymes . In the small intestine , villi are folds of the mucosa that increase the surface area of the intestine . The villi contain a lacteal , a vessel connected to the lymph system that aids in the removal of lipids and tissue fluids . Microvilli are present on the epithelium of a villus and further increase the surface area over which absorption can take place . Numerous intestinal glands as pocket - like invaginations are present in the underlying tissue . In the large intestines , villi are absent and a flat surface with thousands of glands is observed . Underlying the epithelium is the lamina propria , which contains myofibroblasts , blood vessels , nerves , and several different immune cells , and the muscularis mucosa which is a layer of smooth muscle that aids in the action of continued peristalsis and catastalsis along the gut . </P>
layer of digestive tract that contains blood vessels
layer of digestive tract that contains blood vessels
lamina propria
lamina propria