Glands

Question 1

Define what a Gland is

Answer 1

An epithelial cell or aggregate of cells specialised for secretion

Question 2

Name the three salivary gland. (From front of face to back)

Answer 2

Sublingual, Submandibular, Parotid

Question 3

Define exocrine glands

Answer 3

Secrete contents via ducts onto an epithelial surface

Question 4

Define endocrine glands

Answer 4

‘Ductless’ secrete directly into the bloodstream

Question 5

Difference between mucous and serous secretions

Answer 5

Mucous is rich in mucins (glycosylated polypeptides)

Serous- watery secretions with enzymes

Question 6

Which, out of mucous and serous cells, stain better with H&E?

Answer 6

Serous stain dark pink (eosin TF must be basic)

Mucous stain poorly

Question 7

What is the most common way in which glands secrete? Describe how it works

Answer 7

Merocrine, membrane bound structure fuses with apical plasma membrane of cell and contents are released into extra cellular space. Membrane is slightly larger as a result.

Question 8

What is apocrine secretion?

Answer 8

Non-membrane bound structures bind to apical plasma membrane and push it up. A think layer of the membrane wraps around the droplet and pitches off. Membrane is slightly smaller as a result.

Question 9

What is holocrine secretion? Give an example

Answer 9

Where the cell disintegrates to release the contents within. Eg- sebaceous sweat glands

Question 10

Give an example of apocrine secretion

Answer 10

Mammary glands, sweat glands in certain areas (axilla, areola, genitals, perineal etc)

Question 11

List 4 ways secretion can be controlled

Answer 11

Nervous, endocrine, neuro-endocrine, negative feedback

Question 12

List the purely exocrine glands

Answer 12

Parotid, submandibular, goblet cells

Question 13

List the glands that are both exo and endo

Answer 13

Pancreas, liver

Question 14

List the glands that are purely endocrine

Answer 14

Thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid

Question 15

What is the alternative name for adrenal glands?

Answer 15

Suprarenal

Question 16

What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?

Answer 16

Secrete ~1L of alkaline digestive fluid a day

Question 17

Exocrine function of liver?

Answer 17

Secrete ~1L of bile a day into the duodenum

Question 18

Which is the largest gland in the body? Describe where it is

Answer 18

Liver, upper RH portion of abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, above the stomach

Question 19

Which of the salivary glands secretes the most salvia?

Answer 19

Submandibular

Question 20

What type of secretions does parotid gland secrete?

Answer 20

Only serous, they contain enzyme amylase

Question 21

What type of secretions does the submandibular gland secrete?

Answer 21

Serous and mucous

Question 22

What is the name of the type of artefacts present when fixing a certain salivary gland? Which gland is it?

Answer 22

Submandibular- serous demilunes. When freezing occurs, serous cells ‘squash out’ and form crescent shapes

Question 23

Describe histological appearance of pancreas

Answer 23

Islets of Langherhans surrounded by exocrine acini. Islets of Langerhans are lighter staining, exocrine cells are darker staining.

Question 24

Where is the pancreas situated?

Answer 24

Behind the stomach, in the curve of the duodenum

Question 25

What is the function of the adrenal medulla?

Answer 25

Secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine

Question 26

What does epinephrine/adrenaline do?

Answer 26

^BP, ^HR, ^promotion of glucose production by liver

Question 27

What does norepinephrine/noradrenaline do?

Answer 27

Elevates BP via VASOCONSTRICTION

Question 28

What is ‘let down’? What specialised cells fascilitate ‘let down’?

Answer 28

Ejection of milk, myoepithelial cells within the mammary glands contract to facilitate ‘let down’

Question 29

What are myoepithelial cells?

Answer 29

Type of smooth muscle found in eg mammary glands, sweat glands, salivary glands. They contract to expel secretions.