Microscopy of the echidna sublingual glands.

Authors :: Krause WJ
Source :: Anatomia, histologia, embryologia [Anat Histol Embryol] 2011 Oct; Vol. 40 (5), pp. 345-51. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jun 15.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: The secretory units and duct system of the echidna sublingual glands exhibit subtle architectural modifications to accommodate the viscous secretion produced by these glands. The glands are compound tubular glands, the secretory units of which are elongate with open lumina and consist only of mucous cells. Closely packed spindle-shaped myoepithelial cells invest the secretory units, but are absent around the ducts. The branched secretory tubules open into an abbreviated duct system characterized by wide lumina. Striated ducts normally associated with the second portion of the intralobular duct system are absent. The duct system shows the most obvious modification of general salivary gland architecture presumably to accommodate the viscous secretion propelled from the secretory units by surrounding myoepithelial cells.<br /> (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)