Gastric rugae

Gastric pit is a term used in anatomy and histology to describe the depressions in the gastric mucosa, the lining of the stomach. These pits are the openings for the gastric glands, which secrete gastric juice, an essential component in the process of digestion.

Structure

The gastric pit is a narrow channel that leads into the deeper parts of the gastric mucosa. Each pit is surrounded by a number of gastric glands, which are tubular structures that extend from the base of the pit into the muscularis mucosae. The gastric pit and the associated glands are lined by a simple columnar epithelium.

Function

The primary function of the gastric pit is to provide an opening for the gastric glands to secrete their products into the stomach. These products include hydrochloric acid, which helps to break down food, and pepsinogen, an enzyme that is activated to pepsin in the acidic environment of the stomach to digest proteins.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the structure or function of the gastric pit can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. For example, chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa can lead to the loss of normal gastric pits and the development of intestinal metaplasia, a precursor to gastric cancer.

See also

• Gastric gland
• Gastric juice
• Gastric mucosa
• Stomach