Brunner's glands

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Brunner's glands
Section of duodenum. (Duodenal glands in submucosa are labeled at right, fourth from the top.)
Details
System	Digestive system
Location	Duodenum
Identifiers
Latin	glandulae duodenales
MeSH	D002011
TA98	A05.6.02.017
TA2	2957
FMA	71622
Anatomical terms of microanatomy [edit on Wikidata]

Brunner's glands (or duodenal glands) are compound tubuloalveolar submucosal glands found in that portion of the duodenum proximal to the hepatopancreatic sphincter (i.e sphincter of Oddi).^{[citation needed]}

Their main function is to secrete alkaline (bicarbonate-containing) mucus in order to:^{[citation needed]}

• protect the duodenum from the acidic content of chyme (which enters the duodenum from the stomach),
• provide an alkaline environment which promotes the activity of intestinal enzymes,
• lubricate the intestinal walls.

They are the distinguishing feature of the duodenum, and are named for the Swiss physician who first described them, Johann Conrad Brunner.^{[citation needed]}