Histology - Salivary gland

Question 1

What are the functions of saliva?

Answer 1

Antibacterial due to lysosomes, lubricant for mastication, hormone production- EGF)

Question 2

What is the structure of salivary glands like?

Answer 2

Primary units called tuboacinar. Cells in acini are merocrine (Secrete products via S. granules)
Functional areas of gland called Parenchyma (comprises of acini + ducts)
Stroma is collagenous and encases the parenchyma (comprises of ducts + capillaries)

Question 3

What is the composition of the saliva from the major glands?

Answer 3

Parotid – serous secretion 100%
Sublingual – mucous (10:1)
Submandibular – serous (10: 1)

Question 4

Where are the minor glands located?

Answer 4

Lip (Mucous)
Hard + Soft palate (Mucous)
Tongue glands of von Ebner – (Serous)

Question 5

What are the serous acinus and ducts?

Answer 5

Found in Parotid & Submandibular
Serous acinus flows to central lumen which flows to intercalated duct which flows to striated duct which flows to combination of ducts which flows to secretory ducts
Called striated ducts as membrane furthest away contains many folds mitochondria produce ATP

Question 6

What are mucous acini and ducts?

Answer 6

Found in sublingual & mucous areas of submandibular
Contain no intercalated/ striated ducts
Acini are in the form of tubes nuclei at basal end
Serous demilunes cap the end of mucous acini
Sublingual serous secreting cells (in the form of demilunes)
Ductal system emptying straight into secretory duct = mucous acini

Question 7

Describe the parotid gland

Answer 7

White areas in section = fat cells (acini cells replaced by fat cells with ageing
In section ducts are contained within the section thickness (giving a tramline appearance)
Secretory ducts are much larger and are found in connective spaces between the lobules (also contains many capillaries)

Question 8

Describe the submandibular gland

Answer 8

Has similar structure to parotid (but contains mucous secreting areas)

Question 9

Describe the sublingual gland

Answer 9

Little ductal system serous secreting cells in form of demilunes

Question 10

Describe the lip gland

Answer 10

Found embedded within a muscle
Pale secretion mucous rich
Glands of Von Ebner:

Question 11

Describe the glands of von ebner

Answer 11

Found in depression in the surface of tongue circumvallate papilla taste buds on lateral border serous glands secrete washes out trough allows for trough to be restimulated