ABSTRACT
Eleven human lacrimal glands of patients between the age of 13 months and 42 years were examined. The following results were obtained: 1. The human lacrimal gland shows a tubuloacinous structure. 2. The cells of the gland epithelium are high cylindrical to conical. The height of the cells depends on the functional state. 3. The secretory epithelium shows different cell types: Most cells have pale cytoplasm and different coloured prosecretory granules. Also there are cells with pale cytoplasm and few prosecretory granules, and cells with dark cytoplasm and many osmiophile prosecretory granules and finally a few cells with dark cytoplasm and very few prosecretory granules. 4. The different cell types represent most likely different stages of the cycle of secretion within the lacrimal gland. 5. The myopithelial cells show a dependence of the functional state of the gland epithelium.
Subject(s)
Lacrimal Apparatus/ultrastructure , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
The following results were obtained by light and electron microscopical investigations of the lacrimal gland of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta): 1. The lacrimal gland of the monkey is a tubulo-acinous gland having intra and extra lobar excretory ducts. Intercalated and striated ducts are lacking. 2. The secretory epithelium consists of two cell types: a) cells which have a light cytoplasm and dark secretory granules, b) cells with a dark cytoplasm and granules of different electron density. 3. The difference in the types of cells observed and in the appearance of secretory granules reflect classes due to a secretory cycle. 4. Both cell types have a parenchymal innervation, the cells with dark cytoplasm being only scarcely innervated. 5. The parenchymal innervation is cholinerg. 6. The epithelium of the intra and inter lobular excretory ducts shows secretory activity. It is surrounded by myoepithelial cells and receives a parenchymal cholinerg innervation.
