The small intestine is characterized by basal crypts and superficial villi (Figure below). Where does cell division take place?Schematic representation of villi and crypts of Lieberkuhn: (A) Submucosa, (B) Crypts, (C) Villi, (D) Small-bowel lumen
Answer is B. Small-bowel turnover can be measured in rats by autoradiographic studies in which turnover of cells located in the crypts migrate along the villus toward the tip over a 2- to 3- day period. Intestinal villous mucosa undergoes hypertrophy and hyperplasia whenever an increased food load continuously enters the small intestine.