Which region of the stomach contains parietal cells that secrete HCl and intrinsic factor?

• A. Antrum.
• B. Cardia.
• C. Fundus and body.
• D. Pylorus.

Answer: (C)

Parietal cells, which produce hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor, are located in the oxyntic (gastric) glands of the stomach’s fundus and body (corpus). These regions contain the majority of parietal cells, accounting for acid secretion and intrinsic factor production. The antrum and pylorus are dominated by mucus-secreting cells and gastrin-secreting cells and have few parietal cells, while the cardia mainly has mucus glands. Therefore, the region that contains parietal cells responsible for HCl and intrinsic factor is the fundus and body.