Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The outer layer of the intestine is the serosa. This layer is composed of a thin layer of connective tissue covered by a layer of mesothelium, which is a type of epithelial tissue. The serosa serves several important functions, including providing a protective outer covering for the intestines and helping to anchor the intestines to surrounding structures in the abdominal cavity.

The mucosa is the innermost layer and is in direct contact with the intestinal contents, responsible for absorption and secretion. The muscularis is the layer responsible for the peristaltic movement of the intestines and consists of smooth muscle. The submucosa, located between the mucosa and the muscularis, contains blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves, supporting the mucosa. Understanding the structure and function of these layers is crucial in surgical technology, especially in context to procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract.