Which of the following cells secretes the watery fluid of intestinal juice?

BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Explanation

The Crypts of Lieberkühn, also known as intestinal glands, are located between the villi in the small intestine.
Enterocytes deep within these crypts actively secrete water and electrolytes, forming the watery intestinal juice (succus entericus).
This fluid acts as a solvent and carrier, facilitating the chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients from chyme.
The daily secretion of this watery fluid is substantial, approximately 1800 mL per day, and it is rapidly reabsorbed by the villi.

Option A: Islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells located in the pancreas. They secrete hormones like insulin and glucagon directly into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar, not into the intestine.
Option C: Acinar cells are part of the exocrine pancreas. They secrete a fluid rich in digestive enzymes (like amylase, lipase, and proteases) into the duodenum, but they are not the source of the watery intestinal juice itself, which is secreted by the intestinal wall.
Option D: Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages located in the sinusoids of the liver. Their primary function is phagocytosis—clearing bacteria, old red blood cells, and other debris from the blood—not secretion of digestive fluids.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Secretory functions of the small intestine as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the function of the Crypts of Lieberkühn is critical for comprehending certain diarrheal diseases. For example, the toxin from Vibrio cholerae causes a massive over-secretion of chloride, sodium, and water from the crypts, leading to severe, life-threatening watery diarrhea.
What if? - If a patient has enteritis (inflammation of the intestine), the irritated mucosa can increase secretion of water and electrolytes from the crypts. This is a protective mechanism to dilute irritants and flush them out, but it results in diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if prolonged.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'secretes,' 'watery fluid,' and 'intestinal juice.' This points to an exocrine secretory function within the intestine.
Next, consider the location and primary function of each cell type listed in the options.
Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect based on location or function. Islets of Langerhans (pancreas, hormones) and Kupffer cells (liver, phagocytosis) can be quickly ruled out.
Differentiate between the remaining options. Acinar cells are in the pancreas and secrete enzymes, while Crypts of Lieberkuhn are in the intestine and secrete watery fluid.
Recall that 'intestinal juice' is secreted by the intestine itself, making Crypts of Lieberkuhn the logical choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 2A p. 206-207

E6 Histology Inderbir 11e p. 45-47