The upper image is a medium magnification of a group of mucous tubules. An excretory duct can be seen leaving one of the tubules. When you place the cursor or click on the image its secretory portion becomes red and the excretory duct.
The lower image is at a smaller magnification and shows another group ofmucous tubules. A large excretory duct can be seen to the right of the figure, placed in an almost vertical position. It probably carries the secretion of this group of glands.
Pay attentin to some of the features of these mucous tubules:
– the very diverse shape of the sections of the tubules: some are circular, others U or V shaped, some branched. This diversity is due both to the difference in size of the tubules and largely to the planes of section of each tubule.
– the basophilic staining (light blue) of the cytoplasm of the secretory cells.
– the presence of a relatively large and lumen of the tubules.
– the relative ease of observing the limits of the cells of the tubules.
– the presence of connective tissue around the groups and around each tubule.
A very different type of gland will be examined on the next page.
Sublingual salivary gland. Staining: HE. Small magnification.
Sublingual salivary gland. Staining: HE. Small magnification.