Editing Lamina propria (section)

==Structure==
The lamina propria is a loose [[connective tissue]], hence it is not as fibrous as the underlying connective tissue of the submucosa.<ref name="King 2009 Study Guide">{{cite web |first=David |last=King |year=2009 |title=Study Guide: Histology of the Gastrointestinal System |url=http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/erg/giguide.htm}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=May 2015}} The connective tissue and architecture of the lamina propria is very compressible and elastic, this can be seen in organs that require expansion such as the bladder.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1080/003655999750042132 |pmid=10573775 |title=Roles of the Lamina Propria and the Detrusor in Tension Transfer during Bladder Filling |journal=Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology |volume= 33|pages=38–45 |year=1999 |last1=Chang |first1=S. L. |last2=Chung |first2=J. S. |last3=Yeung |first3=M. K. |last4=Howard |first4=P. S. |last5=MacArak |first5=E. J. |issue=201 }}</ref> The collagen in the lamina propria of elastic organs has been shown to play a major role in mechanical function. In the bladder the collagen composition of its lamina propria allows for structure, tensile strength, and compliance, through complex coiling.<ref name=pmid23847015>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/nau.22465 |pmid=23847015 |title=Lamina propria: The functional center of the bladder? |journal=Neurourology and Urodynamics |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=9–16 |year=2014 |last1=Andersson |first1=Karl-Erik |last2=McCloskey |first2=Karen D. |doi-access=free }}</ref> It has been suggested that myofibroblasts also reside in the lamina propria of several organs. These cells have characteristics of both smooth muscle and fibroblasts.<ref name=pmid12614258>{{cite journal |doi=10.1046/j.1464-410X.2003.03802.x |pmid=12614258 |title=The role of the human bladder lamina propria myofibroblast |journal=BJU International |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=89–93 |year=2003 |last1=Wiseman |first1=O.J. |last2=Fowler |first2=C.J. |last3=Landon |first3=D.N. |s2cid=7628206 }}</ref>
    
The lamina propria may also be rich in vascular networks, lymphatic vessels, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle fascicles from the [[muscularis mucosae]]. Afferent and efferent nerve endings can be found in the lamina propria as well.<ref name=pmid23847015/> Immune cells as well as lymphoid tissue, including lymphoid nodules and capillaries, may be present. Smooth muscle fibers may be in the lamina propria, such as in the intestinal villi. It is practically void of fat cells.<ref name="King 2009 Study Guide"/> Lymphatics penetrate the mucosa and lie below the basement membrane of the epithelium, from there they drain the lamina propria.<ref name=pmid9527214>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0003-4975(97)01387-8 |pmid=9527214 |title=Esophageal Carcinoma: Depth of Tumor Invasion is Predictive of Regional Lymph Node Status |journal=The Annals of Thoracic Surgery |volume=65 |issue=3 |pages=787–92 |year=1998 |last1=Rice |first1=Thomas W |last2=Zuccaro |first2=Gregory |last3=Adelstein |first3=David J |last4=Rybicki |first4=Lisa A |last5=Blackstone |first5=Eugene H |last6=Goldblum |first6=John R }}</ref> The fast rate of cell death and regeneration of the epithelium leaves behind many apoptotic cell bodies. These have been found to go into the lamina propria, most of which are inside its macrophages.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=7706406 |url=http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=7706406 |year=1994 |last1=Hall |first1=Peter A. |title=Regulation of cell number in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract: The importance of apoptosis |journal=Journal of Cell Science |volume=107 |issue=12 |pages=3569–77 |last2=Coates |first2=Philip J. |last3=Ansari |first3=Bijan |last4=Hopwood |first4=David |doi = 10.1242/jcs.107.12.3569|url-access=subscription }}</ref>