Columnar mucosa

In pathology, columnar mucosa refers to a tissue lined by tall, column-shaped cells with nuclei (the part of the cell that holds the genetic material) located toward the bottom of the cell. These cells are usually taller than they are wide and contain a substance called mucin.

Where is columnar mucosa normally found in the body?

Columnar mucosa is normally found in various body parts, including the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. In the digestive system, this type of mucosa is found in the lining of the stomach and intestines, where it secretes mucus to protect the underlying tissues from the acidic environment and digestive enzymes. In the respiratory system, it is found in the large and small airways, where it helps trap and remove foreign particles and microorganisms. In the reproductive system, columnar mucosa is found in the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes, which helps support and transport sperm and fertilized eggs.

Columnar mucosa in the esophagus

Finding columnar mucosa at the end of the esophagus in the gastroesophageal junction is normal. In this area, this type of mucosa is often seen with squamous mucosa, which covers most of the esophagus. Doctors frequently perform biopsies of the gastroesophageal junction to look for a disease called Barrett’s esophagus.

In Barrett’s esophagus, the normal columnar mucosa of the gastroesophageal junction contains specialized goblet cells that are normally found in the intestines. This change from normal columnar mucosa to goblet cell-containing intestinal-type mucosa is called intestinal metaplasia.