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Multiple Choice
The capillaries that nourish the epithelium and absorb digested nutrients lie in the ________.
A
serosa
B
lamina propria
C
submucosa
D
muscularis externa
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract wall, which consists of four main layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa.
Focus on the mucosa layer, as it is the innermost layer and directly involved in absorption and nourishment of epithelial cells.
Learn that the mucosa is subdivided into three parts: the epithelium, the lamina propria, and the muscularis mucosae. The lamina propria is a connective tissue layer that contains capillaries and lymphatic vessels.
Recognize that the lamina propria provides nourishment to the epithelium and absorbs digested nutrients, making it the correct answer in this context.
Review the roles of the other layers (submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa) to understand why they are not correct answers. For example, the submucosa contains larger blood vessels and nerves but does not directly nourish the epithelium.