You are here:About>Health>Colon Cancer
About.comColon Cancer

Mucosa

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by V.K. Gadi, MD
This is a cross section of the colon - the view you'd see if someone were to cut your colon in half.
Image 2 of 6
Please send image use requests to coloncancer.guide@about.com
Illustration by Donna Myers © 2007

The mucosa is the innermost layer of the colon. Major components of the mucosa include a single layer of epithelial cells, a layer of connective tissue (the lamina propria), and a thin muscle layer (the lamina muscularis mucosae).

The mucosa is lined with goblet cells, which are glands that secrete mucus to help move material through the colon. When you get a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, it's your mucosa that the doctor's inspecting for polyps.

Image 2 of 6
Updated: February 7, 2007
About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy
©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.