Structure and histochemistry of the normal intestine of the fowl. III. The fine structure of the duodenal crypt.

The fine structures of the development and maturation of intestinal chief cells from the duodenal crypts of the fowl has been described in detail. Three areas within the crypt can be recognised: 1) the crypt base where cell division is frequent but cell development is minimal; (2) the mid-crypt region where rapid growth and development of the cells takes place; and (3) the zone of differentiation where final developments and functional maturation occurs. The structure of the fowl's intestinal crypt is very similar to that described for the mammals. The results are discussed in relation to previous histochemical studies.