Salivary Glands 2

Submandibular

This is a slide of a submandibular gland. It is a mixed gland although the serous element far exceeds the mucous component, possibly by a ratio of as much as 10:1. Striated ducts are prominent as in the parotid (particularly in the serous secreting areas) but intercalated ducts are less in evidence. The mucous secreting elements may be found in recognisable clusters and as individual units dispersed among the serous secreting acini.

The serous acini are similar to those  found in the parotid  although some of the serous component may be in the form of serous 'demilunes' (see below).

Mucous acini (red arrow) are a minority of the secretory elements in the submandibular. They are more tubular than the serous acini(blue arrow) found elsewhere, they stain much less intensely, containing a pale flocculent material and do not open into an intercalated duct (they form their own ductal system within the parenchyma). They should not be confused with the clear spaces which are the ghosts of fat cells. In many mucous acini there is a 'cap' of serous secreting cells - the so-called serous 'demilune' (green arrow). There is some debate as to whether the demilune appearance is to some extent artefact, being produced by the fixation and embedding process.

To open the e-Scope, click on the demarcated area in the micrograph below:-