- * Gastric glands of the fundus and body produce both mucous and gastric juices; they are responsible for chemical digestion.
- Surface epithelial cells line the pit, and secrete surface mucous.
- Mucous neck cells also secrete mucous.
- Parietal cells, which appear as round, bulging, and light pink in the histological sample, are found within the neck and base of the gastric gland. These cells, which are also referred to as oxynitic cells, secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor (required for vitamin B12 absorption).
- Stem cells are also found within the neck; these cells play important roles in the constant renewal of gastric mucosal cells.
- Chief cells reside in the base of the gland, and stain darker due to secretory granules containing pepsinogen, which is a precursor to pepsin for protein digestion.
- Enteroendocrine cells, which is an umbrella term for a variety of cells that secrete peptide hormones. For example, G cells secrete gastrin, and D cells secrete somatostatin.
- The cells of the gastric gland lie on a basement membrane, which separates them from the surrounding glands and lamina propria.