Findings

At much higher magnification, the brush border of the absorptive simple columnar epithelium is evident. Note that a portion of a large capillary filled with blood cells is seen in the subjacent lamina propria.

Comment

The brush border seen by light microscopy represents microvilli when viewed by electron microscopy. Microvilli greatly increase the apical absorptive surface area of the mucosal epithelium.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

High-power light microscopy

Specimen

Small intestine

Image Credit

V. Eroschenko, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
WAMI Medical Program
University of Idaho