Which of the following is not associated with the innermost mucosa layer of the small intestine ?

Options

A. Goblet cells
B. Brunner gland
C. Crypts of Lieberkuhn
D. Villi and microvilli

Answer

To solve the question "Which of the following is not associated with the innermost mucosa layer of the small intestine?", we need to first understand the structure of the small intestine and the components of its innermost layer, the mucosa.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Layers of the Small Intestine**:
The small intestine has four main layers:
- Mucosa (innermost layer)
- Submucosa
- Muscularis
- Serosa (outermost layer)

2. **Identify the Components of the Mucosa**:
The mucosa layer consists of:
- Epithelium (which includes absorptive cells and goblet cells)
- Lamina propria (a layer of connective tissue)
- Muscularis mucosae (a thin layer of muscle)

3. **Consider the Options Provided**:
Since the question does not provide specific options, we can infer that common components associated with the mucosa include:
- Villi (finger-like projections that increase surface area for absorption)
- Microvilli (tiny projections on the epithelial cells)
- Goblet cells (which secrete mucus)

4. **Identify the Incorrect Option**:
The question asks for something that is NOT associated with the mucosa. Possible options that are NOT part of the mucosa could include:
- Blood vessels (which are found in the submucosa)
- Nerves (also primarily located in the submucosa)
- Lymphatic vessels (found in the submucosa)

5. **Conclusion**:
Based on the understanding of the structure of the small intestine, the correct answer to the question would be any option that refers to structures located outside the mucosa, such as blood vessels or nerves.