Which cells found in the stomach secrete HCl and intrinsic factor?

• A. Parietal cells
• B. Chief cells
• C. G cells
• D. Mucous cells

Answer: (A)

Parietal cells are the stomach cells responsible for producing both hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. They’re located in the gastric glands of the stomach’s body and fundus. The strong acid, HCl, is generated by the H+/K+-ATPase proton pump in the parietal cell membranes, which pumps protons into the lumen while chloride ions follow to form HCl. Intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein essential for vitamin B12 absorption in the ileum, is also secreted by these same cells. The release of acid is stimulated by acetylcholine, gastrin, and histamine, and inhibited by somatostatin.

Other cell types in the stomach have different roles: chief cells secrete pepsinogen, the precursor to the digestive enzyme pepsin; mucous (foveolar) cells produce protective mucus; G cells release gastrin, a hormone that stimulates acid secretion but does not itself secrete acid or intrinsic factor.