Morphology of Salivary and Lacrimal Glands

Abstract

Generally, the tissues consist of stroma and parenchyma. The epithelial tissue, which forms the basis of exocrine glands, is rich in parenchyma. The secretions of salivary glands are functionally related to the digestion, and the secretions of the lacrimal glands protect the eye surface and allow to maintain a proper vision. The parotid is a pure serous gland and consists of serous acinus. The submandibular gland is a mixed gland consisting of serous acini and mucous tubules, and the acinus is predominant. The sublingual gland is a mixed gland composed of serous acini and mucous tubules, such as the submandibular gland, but the mucous tubules are predominant. The secretions of salivary glands reach the oral cavity with the intercalated canal, the intralobular canal, the interlobular canal, and the main duct channel. “Stenon duct” in the parotid gland, “Wharton duct” in the submandibular gland, and “major sublingual” duct in the sublingual gland open into the oral cavity. The lacrimal gland is structurally similar to salivary glands. This gland was divided into lobules by irregular tight connective tissue. In the lobules, acinar cells and mucus tubules are located together.