salivary glands

Question 1

structure of salivary glands

Answer 1

lobular structure composed of lobes which are subdivided into smaller lobules

Question 2

types of secretory cells make up the secretory unit?

Answer 2

mucous and serous cells

Question 3

what do the mucous, and serous cells form?

Answer 3

• mucous forms tubular strcutres

- serous forms acinar secretory units or serous demilunes

Question 4

features of the mucous secretory cells

Answer 4

• cuboidal/columnar
• flattened nuclei against the basement membrane
• several mucous acini units exhibit wide lumens
• some mucous acini exhibit an acinar cap called serous demilune

Question 5

features of serous secretory cells

Answer 5

• strongly basophilic
• narrow lumen (rarely seen)
• round nuclei

Question 6

drainage steps of saliva

Answer 6

1) intercalated ducts lined by low cuboidal cells
2) striated ducts lined by tall cuboidal cells
3) striated ducts converge in to INTERLOBULAR ducts lined by stratified cuboidal/columnar epithelium

Question 7

what are the intercalated and striated ducts collectively called?

Answer 7

intralobular ducts because they are situated inside the lobules

Question 8

what do the striated ducts show?

Answer 8

radial striations, due to the infolding of basal plasma membrane and parallel columns of mitochondria.

Question 9

what is visible in the basement membrane of the secretory units and initial part of the duct system?

Answer 9

myoepithelial cell nuclei

Question 10

where can plasma cells be observed?

Answer 10

on the basal surface of duct cells.

Question 11

function of plasma cells?

Answer 11

secretion of igA that combines with a secretory product of the duct cells and is then released into glandular lumen providing immunological protection in the oral cavity