- outer mucus layer
The outer of two mucus layers secreted by epithelial cells in the colon; the outer mucus layer is loosely packed and can be colonized by bacteria.
- colon epithelial cell chemotaxis
The directed movement of a colon epithelial cell guided by a specific chemical concentration gradient. Movement may be towards a higher concentration (positive chemotaxis) or towards a lower concentration (negative chemotaxis).
- inner mucus layer
The inner of two mucus layers secreted by epithelial cells in the colon; the inner mucus layer is firmly attached to the epithelium, is densely packed with a compact stratified appearance and is devoid of bacteria.
- colon smooth muscle contraction
A process in which force is generated within smooth muscle tissue, resulting in a change in muscle geometry of the large intestine, exclusive of the rectum. The colon is that part of the large intestine that connects the small intestine to the rectum.
- mucus layer
An extracellular region part that consists of a protective layer of mucus secreted by epithelial cells lining tubular organs of the body such as the colon or secreted into fluids such as saliva. Mucus is a viscous slimy secretion consisting of mucins (i.e. highly glycosylated mucin proteins) and various inorganic salts dissolved in water, with suspended epithelial cells and leukocytes.