Large intestine. Light micrograph of a section through the epithelial lining of the human colon (large intestine), showing a simple tubular gland called crypts of Lieberkuhn. The glands, like the surface epithelium, contain a mixture of columnar absorptive cells (enterocytes) and many pale-stained mucous-secreting goblet cells. Enterocytes absorb water from the lumen of the large bowel to assist with desiccation of the faeces while goblet cells produce mucous for lubrication. Magnification: x278, when printed 10 centimetres high.