Library · Physiology
Intestinal permeability
Make it clearer
Intestinal permeability is how the intestinal lining controls which molecules pass and which are held back. The wall is not supposed to be completely sealed; absorption requires selective passage. Picture a row of filtered doors, not a solid wall.
Tight junctions connect neighboring cells and regulate the space between them according to size and charge. If the epithelium breaks, less controlled gaps appear alongside the regulated doors. Permeability is a property, not a diagnosis on its own.
In brief
Intestinal permeability is the intestinal epithelium's selective ability to allow or restrict molecules moving between the intestinal lumen and internal tissues. It is a normal physiological property of the barrier, not a diagnosis by itself.
Tight junctions seal the space between neighboring cells and regulate the paracellular route, the path between cells. Their proteins create channels selective for size and charge. If the epithelium is damaged, less controlled passage can also occur through breaks in the lining.
Sources (1)
- PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of MedicineParacellular permeability and tight junction regulation in gut health and disease
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated