ECL CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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ECL cells, also known as enterochromaffin-like cells, are a specific type of cells found in the gastric mucosa, which is the lining of the stomach. These cells are responsible for producing and releasing a hormone called histamine.
Histamine is a biologically active compound that plays a crucial role in regulating various functions within the body. In the context of the stomach, histamine is primarily involved in the production of gastric acid. When the stomach receives signals to initiate the process of digestion, ECL cells release histamine into the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, histamine binds to specific receptors on the surface of cells known as parietal cells, which are found in the gastric glands. This leads to an increase in the secretion of gastric acid into the stomach lumen, thereby aiding in the breakdown of food.
Therefore, ECL cells and the release of histamine they mediate are significant in the regulation of stomach acid production and overall digestion. Dysregulation or dysfunction of these cells may contribute to certain gastric disorders, such as gastric ulcers, acid reflux, or excessive stomach acid production.
In conclusion, ECL cells are a type of cells present in the stomach that produce and release the hormone histamine, which plays a crucial role in regulating stomach acid production and digestion.
Common Misspellings for ECL CELLS
- wcl cells
- scl cells
- dcl cells
- rcl cells
- 4cl cells
- 3cl cells
- exl cells
- evl cells
- efl cells
- edl cells
- eck cells
- ecp cells
- eco cells
- ecl xells
- ecl vells
- ecl fells
- ecl dells
- ecl cwlls
- ecl cslls
- ecl cdlls
Etymology of ECL CELLS
The term "ECL cells" is an abbreviation for "enterochromaffin-like cells". Each part of the term has its own etymology:
1. Enterochromaffin: The term "entero-" derives from the Greek word "enteron", meaning intestine. "Chroma" comes from the Greek word "chroma", which means color. And "affin" comes from the Latin word "affinis", which means connected or related. Hence, "enterochromaffin" refers to cells found in the intestines that have an affinity for staining with certain dyes and are related to color.
2. Like: "Like" is an English word that comes from Old English "gelic", which means similar or resembling. In this case, it is used to denote that ECL cells resemble chromaffin cells found in other areas of the body.
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