Understanding the Stomach Mucosal Barrier: Key Protective Factors
The stomach’s defense against its own acid (HCl) is the gastric mucus layer—a thick, bicarbonate‑rich gel secreted by surface mucous cells and neck cells.
This barrier:
- Physically shields epithelium from acid/pepsin
- Creates a pH gradient (luminal pH ~1–2 → epithelial surface pH ~7)
- Contains trefoil factors, prostaglandins, growth factors for rapid restitution
Disruption (NSAIDs, H. pylori, alcohol, stress) leads to gastritis/ulcers.
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