Salivary Glands Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of myoepithelial cells in salivary glands?

To produce saliva

To move secretory products into and through the ducts (correct)

To regulate blood flow to the gland

To synthesize digestive enzymes

What type of junctions do serous cells form apically?

Adherens junctions

Gap junctions

Desmosomal junctions

Tight and adherent junctions (correct)

What is the shape of mucous cells?

Pyramidal

Spherical

Columnar (correct)

Cuboidal

What type of epithelial cells line the intercalated ducts?

Cuboidal epithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of serous acinar cells?

To secrete enzymes and other proteins Signup and view all the answers

What type of ducts drain the secretory acini and tubules?

Intercalated ducts Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the duct system in salivary glands?

To modify saliva by adding Na+, Cl-, growth factors, and digestive enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the serous cell unit?

Spherical Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of saliva?

Digestive and buffering functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the cells in the striated ducts of salivary glands?

Mitochondria-lined, basolateral membrane folds for electrolyte reabsorption Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the excretory ducts of salivary glands?

Stratified cuboidal or columnar cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate pH of saliva?

6.5-6.9 Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of total saliva volume secreted by the minor salivary glands?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the secretion of the parotid gland?

Serous and watery Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that surrounds each major salivary gland?

A connective tissue capsule Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the secretory units of the sublingual gland?

Primarily mucous tubules Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the pancreas?

To produce digestive enzymes and hormones Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the exocrine part of the pancreas?

To secrete pancreatic juice Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the secretory acini in the pancreas?

They are surrounded by a basal lamina supported by a delicate sheath of reticular fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the submandibular gland?

To produce a mixture of serous and mucous cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the parotid gland?

It is a purely serous gland Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the intralobular ducts in the sublingual gland?

To drain each lobule Signup and view all the answers

What is the arrangement of the mucous cells in the sublingual gland?

Tubuloacinar Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that surrounds the lobules in the pancreas?

A thin capsule of connective tissue with septa Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Salivary Glands

Salivary glands have secretory units of either protein-secreting serous cells or mucin-secreting mucous cells.
Serous cells are polarized protein-secreting cells, usually pyramidal in shape, with round nuclei and apical secretory granules.
Mucous cells are columnar in shape, with compressed basal nuclei, and contain apical granules with hydrophilic mucins.
Myoepithelial cells are small, flattened cells that extend contractile processes around secretory units or ducts, important for moving secretory products into and through the ducts.

Salivary Gland Structure

Salivary glands are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule, with parenchyma consisting of secretory units on a branching duct system arranged in lobules, separated by septa of connective tissue.
The secretion of each gland is either serous, seromucous, or mucous, depending on its content of the glycoprotein mucin.

Salivary Gland Functions

Saliva has digestive, lubricating, and protective functions, with a normal pH of 6.5-6.9, and an important buffering function.
Saliva is modified by the cells of the duct system draining the secretory units, with Na+ and Cl−, growth factors, and digestive enzymes added.

Types of Salivary Glands

There are three pairs of large salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, in addition to numerous minor or intrinsic salivary glands throughout the oral mucosa.
Parotid glands have only serous acini and produce a serous secretion.
Submandibular glands are mixed but have mainly serous acini and produce a seromucous secretion.
Sublingual glands are mixed but have primarily mucous tubules and produce a mucous secretion.

Duct System

Salivary secretory units are drained by simple cuboidal intercalated ducts, which merge as simple columnar striated ducts, and further merge as larger interlobular or excretory ducts.
Striated ducts have mitochondria-lined, basolateral membrane folds specialized for electrolyte reabsorption from the secretion.
Excretory ducts are unusual in having stratified cuboidal or columnar cells.

Pancreas

The pancreas is a mixed exocrine-endocrine gland that produces both digestive enzymes and hormones.
The pancreas has a thin capsule of connective tissue, with septa that separate the parenchyma into lobules.
The exocrine part of the pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, while the endocrine part secretes hormones.

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Description

This quiz covers the structure and function of salivary glands, including the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands. Learn about the secretory units, serous and mucous cells, and their roles in the digestive system.