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Multiple Choice
The capillaries that nourish the epithelium and absorb digested nutrients lie in the:
A
lamina propria
B
muscularis externa
C
serosa
D
submucosal plexus
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of the gastrointestinal tract and its layers. The layers include the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. Each layer has specific functions and components.
Step 2: Focus on the mucosa layer, which is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract. It consists of three sublayers: the epithelium, the lamina propria, and the muscularis mucosae.
Step 3: Learn the role of the lamina propria. It is a connective tissue layer within the mucosa that contains capillaries, lymphatic vessels, and immune cells. These capillaries are responsible for nourishing the epithelium and absorbing digested nutrients.
Step 4: Compare the lamina propria to the other options provided in the question. The muscularis externa is responsible for peristalsis and segmentation, the serosa is the outermost protective layer, and the submucosal plexus is a network of nerves in the submucosa that regulates secretion and motility.
Step 5: Based on the function and location of the lamina propria, recognize that it is the correct answer because it contains the capillaries that nourish the epithelium and absorb digested nutrients.