On this page you will see an important feature of the serous acini that make up the exocrine pancreas.
– The system of excretory ducts that carries the secretion of the pancreas and salivary glands begins with thin excretory ducts called intercalated ducts.
– In the pancreas, the initial cells of these intercalated ducts are locatedinside the acini. This does not occur in serous acini from other parts of the body, in which intercalated duct cells begin on the surface of the acini (see the figure on page 3-11).
– Lightly stained ovoidal nuclei can be frequently observed in the lumen of the pancreatic acini. They belong to the first cells of the intercalated ducts, which for this reason are called central-acinar cells.
The presence of these cells is an important factor in the diagnosis of the pancreas and in its differentiation from other glands, such as the parotid glands, also made up of serous acini. The acini of the parotid glands do not contain such ovoid, lightly-stained nuclei.
Four acini are highlighted by green lines. Observe inside these acini the nuclei of central acinar cells, highlighted in blue.
Pancreas. Staining: hematoxylin and eosin. Medium magnification.
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