Parts of Auerbach's plexus can be seen between the two layers of the muscularis externa. Look at the poster which displays mitotic figures, so that you can recognize them. Then return to slide b-7 and note the large number of mitotic figures present in the epithelium, especially in the glands. Your ability to pick out cells which are in some stage of mitosis will be a critical skill in pathology. The mucosal surface contains mainly columnar absorptive cells with a brush border and the characteristic crypts or glands of the colon are lined by a mixture of absorptive and goblet cells .
Paneth cells are generally absent from the adult human colon.
Note that there are no villi in the colon . The muscularis mucosa is evident, and many different caliber of blood vessels are present in the submucosa. The lamina propria usually contains isolated lymphatic nodules which extend into the submucosa. The muscularis externa is composed of outer longitudinal and inner circular layers. The appendix has the same type of epithelium as the colon.