Cellular Changes in the Small Intestine Epithelium in the Course of Cell Proliferation and Maturation

Early histological studies of the small intestine revealed the presence of high mitotic activity in the crypts and the absence of cell proliferation in the villi. This mitotic activity appeared to take place in response to damage of the intestinal epithelium caused by the luminal content (toxin, bacteria) of the small intestine (Patzelt, 1936). Bizzozerro (1888) postulated that cells migrate from crypts to villi, resulting in the repair of toxic and bacterial damage of the epithelium.