Microvillus

In the enterocyte microvillus, the structural core is attached to the plasma membrane along its length by lateral arms made of myosin 1a and Ca2+ binding protein calmodulin.Thousands of microvilli form a structure called the brush border that is found on the apical surface of some epithelial cells, such as the small intestines.The nucleation of actin fibers occurs as a response to external stimuli, allowing a cell to alter its shape to suit a particular situation.Because of this vital function, the microvillar membrane is packed with enzymes that aid in the breakdown of complex nutrients into simpler compounds that are more easily absorbed.[6] Congenital lack of microvilli in the intestinal tract causes microvillus atrophy, a rare, usually fatal condition found in new-born babies.
Anatomical terms of microanatomymembrane protrusionsabsorptionsecretioncellular adhesionmechanotransductioncytoplasmmicrofilamentsorganellesfimbrinvillinmyosin 1acalmodulinterminal webspectrintropomyosinbrush borderapical surfaceepithelial cellssmall intestinesintestinal villiwhite blood cellscytosolnucleationglycosidasesglycocalyxglycoproteinsplasma membranetransmembrane proteinsEscherichia coliceliacmicrovillus atrophyChorionic villiFlagellumIntestinal villusStereociliaWayback MachineBibcodeepitheliumcell–cellCell adhesion moleculesAdherens junctionCadherinDesmosomeDesmogleinIon channelsGap junctionConnexonConnexinCytoskeletonDesmoplakinPlakoglobinTonofibrilmembrane proteinsTight junctionClaudinOccludinMARVELD2cell–matrixBasal laminaHemidesmosomeFocal adhesionCostamereKinociliumgastrointestinal tractPharynxMusclesperipharyngeal retropharyngeal parapharyngeal retrovisceral dangerprevertebralPterygomandibular raphePharyngeal rapheBuccopharyngeal fasciaPharyngobasilar fasciaPyriform sinusEsophagusglandsStomachAngular incisurePylorusGastric mucosaGastric foldsGastric pitsGastric glandsCardiac glandsFundic glandsFoveolar cellsParietal cellsGastric chief cellsEnterochromaffin-like cellsSmall intestineIntestinal glandsEnterocytesEnteroendocrine cellsGoblet cellsPaneth cellsDuodenumSuspensory muscleMajor duodenal papillaMinor duodenal papillaDuodenojejunal flexureBrunner's glandsJejunumIleocecal valvePeyer's patchesMicrofold cellsLarge intestineAppendixAscending colonHepatic flexureTransverse colonSplenic flexureDescending colonSigmoid colontaenia colihaustraepiploic appendixRectumTransverse foldsAmpullaAnal canalAnal columnsAnal valvesAnal sinusesPectinate lineInternal anal sphincterIntersphincteric grooveExternal anal sphincterSerosaAdventitiaSubserosaMuscular layerSubmucosaCircular foldsMucosaMuscularis mucosa