Pepsinogen in the stomach is secreted by:

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Explanation

Chief cells, also known as peptic or zymogenic cells, are located in the basal region of gastric glands.
Their primary function is to synthesize and secrete pepsinogen, which is the inactive precursor (zymogen) of the digestive enzyme pepsin.
Pepsinogen is activated into pepsin by the low pH environment created by hydrochloric acid, which then initiates the digestion of proteins.

Option A: Goblet cells (or mucous neck cells) are primarily responsible for secreting mucus. This mucus forms a protective bicarbonate-rich layer that shields the stomach wall from the corrosive effects of gastric acid and pepsin.
Option B: G cells are enteroendocrine cells located in the antrum of the stomach. They secrete the hormone gastrin into the bloodstream, not pepsinogen. Gastrin stimulates acid secretion from parietal cells.
Option C: Parietal cells (or oxyntic cells) secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. While HCl is essential for activating pepsinogen into pepsin, the parietal cells do not secrete pepsinogen itself.

Visual 1: Diagram: A cross-section of a gastric gland (gastric pit). This visual helps to locate Chief cells, Parietal cells, G cells, and Mucous/Goblet cells in their respective positions within the gland, clarifying their anatomical relationships.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Cellular Secretions of Gastric Glands as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding gastric cell function is vital for managing peptic ulcer disease, which results from an imbalance between aggressive factors (acid, pepsin) and protective factors (mucus).
Autoimmune destruction of parietal cells (atrophic gastritis) leads to a lack of intrinsic factor, causing pernicious anemia due to the inability to absorb vitamin B12.
Pharmacological agents like Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g., Omeprazole) work by blocking the H+/K+-ATPase pump in parietal cells, reducing acid secretion to treat acid-related disorders.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on gastrointestinal physiology.
Identify the key substance in the question stem: 'pepsinogen'.
Recall the different types of cells present in the gastric glands and their specific secretions.
Systematically evaluate each option: Goblet cells produce mucus, G cells produce gastrin, and Parietal cells produce HCl and intrinsic factor.
Match 'pepsinogen' to its secreting cell, which is the Chief cell (also known as a peptic or zymogenic cell).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.