2.3 Histology of the oral cavity & salivary glands Flashcards
The taste buds are present in the ________________ in the soft palate, epiglottis, and posterior wall of the oropharynx:
• Clefts between the papillae contain the openings of minor serous salivary glands (help to dissolve food particles and aid in recognition of taste)
• Taste buds are found in the ______________ (as scattered pale structures) → consist of specialised gustatory cells with afferent nerve fibres
epithelium of the circumvallate papillae;
epithelium of the walls adjoining the cleft
What are the characteristics of the filiform taste buds
Most numerous (found on anterior two-thirds); no taste buds
what are the characteristics of the fungiform taste buds
Found on anterior two-thirds
what are the characteristics of circumvallate taste buds
Larger with taste buds (just anterior to sulcus terminalis)
what are the characteristics of foliate taste buds
Short vertical folds
what are the 3 main parts of the salivary gland
Parenchyma (epithelia glandular units which secrete saliva), ducts (Intercalated (small) → striated (middle) → interlobular (big) ducts which help to carry salivary secretions from acini to oral cavity), stroma (Connective tissue which helps to support the parenchyma)
The parotid glands are entirely serous with acini forming lobules (surrounded by connective tissues → adipose cells fills the clear areas in lobules):
• Acini are lined by serous cells with abundant cytoplasm and ____________
• Secretions are enzyme-rich and watery, and negative for mucin stains
basophilic (purplish) zymogen granules
The sublingual glands are mainly made of mucous acini which also form lobules:
• Acini consist of pale mucous cells with ___________________
• Secretions are thick and viscous, and positive for mucin stains
basally located flattened nuclei
The submandibular glands are mixed seromucinous with both pale mucous cells and darkly stained serous cells:
• Some serous cells form crescent-shaped caps at the periphery (___________)
serous demilunes
