In general, a chief cell (or a "zymogenic cell") is a cell which releases a precursor enzyme. There are two types of chief cells which are most commonly referenced: A zymogen is an inactive enzyme precursor. ...
A "gastric chief cell" or "peptic cell" is a cell in the stomach that releases pepsinogen and rennin. It works in conjunction with the Parietal cell which releases gastric acid, converting the pepsinogen into pepsin. Often when the term "chief cell" is used without qualification, this is the type meant.
The stomach (Gaster) In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek ÏÏÏμαÏοÏ) is an organ in the alimentary canal used to digest food. ... Pepsin is a protease, a digestive enzyme that degrades food proteins in the stomach; the other important digestive enzymes are trypsin and chymotrypsin. ... Rennet, also called rennin or chymosin (EC 3. ... Parietal cells (also called oxyntic cells) are cells located in the stomach epithelium. ... Gastric acid is, together with several enzymes and the intrinsic factor, one of the main secretions of the stomach. ... Pepsin is a digestive protease released by the chief cells in the stomach that functions to degrade food proteins into peptides. ... Parathyroid chief cells are cells in the parathyroid glands which produce parathyroid hormone. ... Human parathyroid glands The parathyroid glands are endocrine glands in the neck, usually located within the thyroid gland, which produce parathyroid hormone. ...
Lying beneath the stomach is the pancreas, and the greater omentum hangs from the greater curvature.
The cells at the base of these pits are chiefcells, responsible for production of pepsinogen, an inactive precursor of pepsin, which degrades proteins.