Page 531 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

They are characterized by smaller, darker-stained pyramidal cells, spherical

basal nuclei, and apical secretory granules. In contrast, the mucous acini (5, 11,
13, II) are larger, have larger lumina, and exhibit variable sizes and shapes. The
mucous cells (5, 11, 13, II) are columnar with pale or almost colorless cytoplasm
after staining with flattened nuclei pressed against the base of the cell membrane.

In mixed seromucous acini, the mucous acini are normally surrounded or

capped by one or more serous cells, forming a crescent-shaped serous demilune
(7, 10). The thin, contractile myoepithelial cells (8) surround the serous (I) and
mucous (II) acini and the intercalated ducts (III).

The duct system of the submandibular gland is similar to that of the parotid

gland. The small intralobular intercalated ducts (12, 14, 17, III) have small
lumina and are shorter, whereas the striated ducts (4, 15, IV) with distinct basal
striations (18) in the cells are longer than in the parotid gland. This figure
illustrates a mucous acinus (13) opening into an intercalated duct (14) that joins
a larger striated duct (15). Interlobular excretory ducts (16) are located in the

interlobular connective tissue septa (3) with nerves, an arteriole (1), a venule
(2), and adipose cells (9).

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