The more basophilic chief cells are most dominant deep in the epithelium, near the muscularis mucosa. The surface gives rise to pits or foveolae, both of which are overwhelmingly surface mucous cells. From the bottom of the foveolus projects one or more glands. The glands extend down to the muscularis mucosa. The upper regions of the glands are rich in parietal cells , and neck mucous cells .
Parietal cells are large, pink, and very rounded.
This membrane elaboration is critical in the secretion of HCl. Interspersed between parietal cells are neck mucous cells. These are commonly seen as wedged-shaped, jammed between the fatter parietal cells. The basal end of the cell is commonly very compressed and narrow, while the apical end shows evidence of pale, washed-out secretory granules. Neck mucous cells are considered distinct from surface mucous cells, but the real differences in function are not fully clear.