magslemhinnans

Magslemhinnans, or the gastric mucosa, is the mucous membrane that lines the interior of the stomach. It comprises the mucosa with a simple columnar epithelium, a lamina propria, and a thin muscularis mucosae, and it is overlaid by a thick mucus layer rich in bicarbonate. The surface epithelium mainly consists of surface mucous cells and mucous neck cells that produce protective mucus. Deeper in the fundus and body are glands containing parietal cells (secreting hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor), chief cells (secreting pepsinogen), and various enteroendocrine cells (releasing hormones such as gastrin and histamine).

The mucosa is organized into regions—cardia, fundus, body, and antrum—each with characteristic glands and a network of gastric pits that drain into tubular glands. The surface is folded into rugae when the stomach is empty, allowing expansion as content accumulates.

Function and protection are central to magslemhinnans. The mucus-bicarbonate layer forms a protective barrier against autodigestion by gastric acid and enzymes. Tight junctions between epithelial cells limit back-diffusion of acid. Prostaglandins help maintain this defense by promoting mucus and bicarbonate secretion and supporting blood flow. The epithelium regenerates rapidly from stem cells in the glands to replace damaged cells.

Regulation of acid secretion involves parietal cells, stimulated by gastrin (G cells), histamine, and acetylcholine, and inhibited by low pH and somatostatin. Gastric mucosa can be damaged by mechanisms such as Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use, which reduce protective factors and raise ulcer risk.

Clinical relevance includes gastritis, peptic ulcers, metaplasia, and links to gastric cancer, highlighting the mucosa’s role in digestive health and disease.