Which cells in the stomach are responsible for producing intrinsic factor?

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

Answer: (A)

Intrinsic factor production comes from parietal cells in the gastric mucosa. These cells sit in the stomach lining (especially the fundus and body) and secrete both hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. The intrinsic factor is essential for vitamin B12 absorption in the ileum; without it, B12 cannot be efficiently taken up, leading to pernicious anemia.

Chief cells, in contrast, secrete pepsinogen, the precursor to the digestive enzyme pepsin. G cells release the hormone gastrin, which stimulates acid secretion and motility but does not produce intrinsic factor. Enterocytes are the absorptive cells lining the small intestine, not producers of intrinsic factor.