Enteroendocrine cell
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Enteroendocrine_cell".

Enteroendocrine cells are specialized endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract. They produce hormones such as serotonin[1], somatostatin, motilin, cholecystokinin, gastric inhibitory peptide, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and enteroglucagon.

Most enteroendocrine cells are found in the islets of Langerhans, but they are also found in other locations. For example, the G cells (which secrete gastrin) are located primarily in the stomach.[2] Enteroendocrine cells are also found in the duodenum.[3]

Enterochromaffin-like cell and enterochromaffin cells are also considered enteroendocrine cells.[4]

Pathology

Rare and slow growing carcinoid tumors develop from these cells. When a tumor arises it has the capacity to secrete large volumes of hormones.

See also

References

  1. ^ UIUC Histology Subject 321
  2. ^ iv_1/g/G_cell article at GE's Medcyclopaedia
  3. ^ Histology at BU 11604loa - "Endocrine System: duodenum, enteroendocrine cells"
  4. ^ MeSH Enteroendocrine+cells
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