HOW EXOCRINE GLANDS ARE STRUCTURED
Using the example of the parotid gland we will examine how this and other exocrine glands are structured and organized.
Many are covered by a sheet of dense connective tissue.
The functional part of a gland (secretory units and conducting ducts) is called the parenchyma of the gland. It is often partitioned into groups separated by connective tissue. Each larger partition of parenchyma, having one or several excretory ducts is called a lobe (highlighted in a lighte hade of blue in the image). Large glands are formed by several lobes. In this section the lobes became artificialle separated one from another during the tissue prearation.
Each lobe may be be formed by even smaller divisions called lobules, separated one from another by less connective tissue. Three small lobules are highlighted in dark blue in the image),
The supporting tissue (connective tissue) of the glands, called stroma, joins the components of the parenchyma and contains blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves. A small layer of stroma surrounds the thin ducts and progressively more connective tissue surrounds the excretory ducts as they enlarge.
A large excretory duct can be seen at the upper right corner of the image.
Many are covered by a sheet of dense connective tissue.
The functional part of a gland (secretory units and conducting ducts) is called the parenchyma of the gland. It is often partitioned into groups separated by connective tissue. Each larger partition of parenchyma, having one or several excretory ducts is called a lobe (highlighted in a lighte hade of blue in the image). Large glands are formed by several lobes. In this section the lobes became artificialle separated one from another during the tissue prearation.
Each lobe may be be formed by even smaller divisions called lobules, separated one from another by less connective tissue. Three small lobules are highlighted in dark blue in the image),
The supporting tissue (connective tissue) of the glands, called stroma, joins the components of the parenchyma and contains blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves. A small layer of stroma surrounds the thin ducts and progressively more connective tissue surrounds the excretory ducts as they enlarge.
A large excretory duct can be seen at the upper right corner of the image.
