SEROUS ACINUS – 5
The cells of the pancreatic acini produce many different types of proteins that will be secreted and after being conducted by the excretory duct system, will be transported to the lumen of the small intestine. Many of these proteins are digestive enzymes.
To work on protein synthesis, the acinar cells of the pancreas are endowed with abundant granular endoplasmic reticulum. This organelle is located in the basal region of each acinar cell, close to the basal lamina and stains well in blue with hematoxylin. The ergastoplasm of some cells will appear highlighted in dark blue when you move the mouse or click on the image.
The ergastoplasm partially surrounds the nuclei of the acinar cells. These round nuclei , are also located in the basal region of the cells and some of them appear highlighted in light blue. Many of these nuclei contain a prominent nucleolus.
The secretion produced by the cells is accumulated in secretory grains located in the apical region of the acinar cells. The grains are not seen individually, but form a region that appears highlighted in light beige in several cells.
Unlike the ergastoplasm, which is basophilic (bluish after HE staining), the region containing the secretory grains is acidophilic (stained pink by eosin).
Due to the arrangement of its organelles, this type of cell is an excellent example of a polarized cell.
Note that:
– Due to the presence of ergastoplasm in the basal region of each of the secretory cells, the acinus as a whole shows a more stained band on its periphery, corresponding to the set of ergastoplasms of its cells.
– The lumen of the acini is very small and not easily seen in sections.
To work on protein synthesis, the acinar cells of the pancreas are endowed with abundant granular endoplasmic reticulum. This organelle is located in the basal region of each acinar cell, close to the basal lamina and stains well in blue with hematoxylin. The ergastoplasm of some cells will appear highlighted in dark blue when you move the mouse or click on the image.
The ergastoplasm partially surrounds the nuclei of the acinar cells. These round nuclei , are also located in the basal region of the cells and some of them appear highlighted in light blue. Many of these nuclei contain a prominent nucleolus.
The secretion produced by the cells is accumulated in secretory grains located in the apical region of the acinar cells. The grains are not seen individually, but form a region that appears highlighted in light beige in several cells.
Unlike the ergastoplasm, which is basophilic (bluish after HE staining), the region containing the secretory grains is acidophilic (stained pink by eosin).
Due to the arrangement of its organelles, this type of cell is an excellent example of a polarized cell.
Note that:
– Due to the presence of ergastoplasm in the basal region of each of the secretory cells, the acinus as a whole shows a more stained band on its periphery, corresponding to the set of ergastoplasms of its cells.
– The lumen of the acini is very small and not easily seen in sections.
