Definition for Parietal cell
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Parietal cells (also known as oxyntic or delomorphous cells), are the stomach epithelial cells that secrete gastric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. These cells are only located in glands found in a particular area of the stomach, known as the fundus. They contain an extensive secretory network (called canaliculi) from which the HCl is secreted by active transport into the stomach. The enzyme hydrogen potassium ATPase (H+/K+ ATPase) is unique to the parietal cells and transports the H+ against a concentration gradient of about 3 million to 1, which is the steepest ion gradient formed in the human body. Parietal cells are primarily regulated via histamine, acetylcholine and gastrin signaling from both central and local modulators.
