Villi and goblet cells in rat gut, LM

Section of gut from a rat, on a glass slide prepared over 30 years ago. In this section, individual villi have been cut in cross-section revealing goblet cells filled with acid mucin (blue; stained with Alcian blue). Cell nuclei are also visible (purple; stained with haematoxylin). Villi are finger-like projections which extend out from the inner surface of the gut to increase the surface area of the small intestine and aid digestion. Width of image is 650 micrometres.