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Each acinus consists of a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells surrounding a lumen, a central opening where the saliva is deposited after being produced by the secretory cells. The three forms of acini are classified in terms of the type of epithelial cell present and the secretory product being produced - serous, mucoserous, and mucous.
They contain serous acini, a grouping of serous cells that secrete serous fluid, isotonic with blood plasma, that contains enzymes such as alpha-amylase. Serous glands are most common in the parotid gland and lacrimal gland but are also present in the submandibular gland and, to a far lesser extent, the sublingual gland.
Further, because the secretory cells are of both serous and mucous types, the submandibular gland is a mixed gland, and though most of the cells are serous, the exudate is chiefly mucous. It has long striated ducts and short intercalated ducts. [7] The secretory acinar cells of the submandibular gland have distinct functions.
Mucoserous acini (singular acinus) or mixed acini are mainly present in submandibular and sublingual glands. They are formed by mucous cells with some serous cells interspersed each other. Both cells pour their secretion directly in the lumen. Layer of mucous cells and serous demilune of serous cells superficial to mucous cells
Mucous glands, also known as muciparous glands, are found in several different parts of the body, and they typically stain lighter than serous glands during standard histological preparation. Most are multicellular, but goblet cells are single-celled glands.
After sectioning the serous cells resembled the common demilune shape, and were so named. [2] When the gland has this demilunar structure, it has mucoserous acini producing both serous and mucous secretions. Slice of submandibular gland. H&E staining, the structure of the red stained cytoplasm on the left is the serous demilunes.
Serous glands secrete a watery, often protein-rich, fluid-like product, e.g. sweat glands. Mucous glands secrete a viscous product, rich in carbohydrates (such as glycoproteins), e.g. goblet cells. Sebaceous glands secrete a lipid product. These glands are also known as oil glands, e.g. Fordyce spots and meibomian glands.
The sublingual gland (glandula sublingualis) is a seromucous polystomatic exocrine gland.Located underneath the oral diaphragm (diaphragma oris), the sublingual gland is the smallest and most diffuse of the three major salivary glands of the oral cavity, with the other two being the submandibular and parotid.