Salivary biology

Question 1

describe secretory end-piece

Answer 1

Acinus
- pyramidal cells + central lumen
- produce primary secretion
- polarised cells - peripheral nucleus
- types:
- serous
- mucous
- (serous demilunes)

Question 2

mucous acinar cells + serous demilunes

Answer 2

• mucous acinus capped by serous cells
• serous cells discharge via intercellular canaliculi between the mucous cells
• ? artefactual

Question 3

myoepithelial cells

Answer 3

• on acini and intercalated ducts
  function:
• Contractile elements…
• “squeeze” acinus - may assist secretion
• regulate duct lumen diameter

Question 4

intercalated ducts

Answer 4

• low cuboidal cells
• large central nucleus
• difficult to see in routine wax sections

Question 5

striated ducts

Answer 5

• not present in sublingual glands
• active modification of primary saliva
• central nucleus due to…
• massive basal membrane folding

Question 6

secretory (collecting) ducts

Answer 6

• large lumen
• pseudostratified
• stratified near termination - merges with stratified squamous oral epithelium

Question 7

Answer 7