Light micrograph of normal colon epithelium (surface lining) cut in cross-section. The colon epithelium is made up of tube-like structures called crypts. When cut in cross-section, these crypts are thus seen as roughly circular in shape. The colon lining cells consist of goblet-cells, which are the ovoid shaped, clear to light blue structures arranged around a lumen (clear centre) in each crypt cross-section. The goblet cells contain mucous material which is secreted into the crypt lumen and then makes its way onto the inner surface of the bowel. This mucous material helps bowel contents move forward through the bowel. Haematoxylin and eosin stained tissue section. Magnification: x200 when printed at 10cm wide.