Brunner's glands
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Brunner's glands | |
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Section of duodenum of cat. (Duodenal glands in submucosa labeled at right, fourth from the top.) | |
Latin | glandulae duodenales |
Gray's | subject #248 1176 |
Dorlands/Elsevier | g_06/12392383 |
Brunner's glands (or duodenal glands) are compound tubular submucosal glands located throughout the duodenum. The main function of these glands is to produce an alkaline secretion (containing bicarbonate) in order to:
- protect the duodenum from the acidic content of chyme (which is introduced into the duodenum from the stomach);
- provide an alkaline condition for the intestinal enzymes to be active, thus enabling absorption to take place;
- lubricate the intestinal walls.