Duodenum lining. Light micrograph of a section through the lining of the duodenum, the uppermost part of the small intestine. The lining is folded into numerous villi (purple/blue). These increase the surface area for the digestion of food. Underlying this layer is the muscularis mucosae (pink band, top left to lower centre). Beneath this is a layer of Brunner's glands (irregular and pale). These glands secrete an alkaline mucus which helps to protect the small intestine from stomach acids when food is passed to it from the stomach. Magnification: x50 at 35mm size.

Photo website with Rights Managed and Royalty Free stock photos, images, illustrations and footage available for download immediately for commercial and editorial uses. Aflo is a leading independent supplier and producer of stock pictures and visual content. Search and find high quality images and video for design, print, web-use and publishing. Buy photos from our extensive collection of model released and property released sports images. Search some of the most beautiful travel and landscape pictures from our own photographers and license from our large collection of content, modern and archive, focusing on Japan. We provide free research. Register for personal account management and for full use of our Stock Photography website and start to download images now.