Fig 1. W2254, Large intestine (cs) H&E.
A cross section through the colon is shown at low magnification.
It shows the four layers that make up the wall of the colon: the
mucosa (M), the submucosa (S), the muscularis externa (ME),
and the serosa (Se). Although these layers are the same as
those in the small intestine, several differences should be noted.
The large intestine has neither villi nor the plicae circulares. On
the other hand, the longitudinal layer of the muscularis externa
is substantially thinner than the circular layer except in three
locations where the longitudinal layer of smooth muscle is
present as a thick band, called teniae coli (TC).