Special Senses System

Lacrimal Gland

Narrative

Lacrimal glands are similar in structure to salivary glands and are composed of acini and ducts. The acinar cells contain serous glandular cells associated with basally located myoepithelial cells. The acinar cells contain mucous granules, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, and sparse lipid bodies.

Image of a 0.5 micrometer thick section of a lacrimal gland.

Figure 1. A semithin section (0.5 micrometer thick) of a toluidine blue O-stained portion of a lacrimal gland showing acini (1) and a single secretory duct (2). 38x.
Image of a lacrimal gland acinus.

Figure 2. An electron micrograph of a lacrimal gland acinus. The nucleus of an acinar cell (1) is surrounded by stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum (3). Numerous mucous granules (2) are present. 2900x.
Image of the contents of an acinar cell.

Figure 3. A higher magnification view of the contents of an acinar cell. The nucleus (1) has a large amount of perinuclear rough endoplasmic reticulum (2). Near the nucleus are several lipid droplets (3) and mitochondria (4). The rest of the cell is filled with mucous granules (5). 6800x.
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References:
Dellmann HD, Eurell J, eds. 1998. Textbook of Veterinary Histology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Weiss L, ed. 1988. Cell and Tissue Biology: A Textbook of Histology. 6th ed. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg.
Enlarge All Images
<strong>Figure 1.</strong> A semithin section (0.5 micrometer thick) of a toluidine blue O-stained portion of a lacrimal gland showing acini (1) and a single secretory duct (2). 38x.
Figure 1. A semithin section (0.5 micrometer thick) of a toluidine blue O-stained portion of a lacrimal gland showing acini (1) and a single secretory duct (2). 38x.
<strong>Figure 2.</strong> An electron micrograph of a lacrimal gland acinus. The nucleus of an acinar cell (1) is surrounded by stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum (3). Numerous mucous granules (2) are present. 2900x.
Figure 2. An electron micrograph of a lacrimal gland acinus. The nucleus of an acinar cell (1) is surrounded by stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum (3). Numerous mucous granules (2) are present. 2900x.
<strong>Figure 3.</strong> A higher magnification view of the contents of an acinar cell. The nucleus (1) has a large amount of perinuclear rough endoplasmic reticulum (2). Near the nucleus are several lipid droplets (3) and mitochondria (4). The rest of the cell is filled with mucous granules (5). 6800x.
Figure 3. A higher magnification view of the contents of an acinar cell. The nucleus (1) has a large amount of perinuclear rough endoplasmic reticulum (2). Near the nucleus are several lipid droplets (3) and mitochondria (4). The rest of the cell is filled with mucous granules (5). 6800x.

AUTHOR:

Michael Dykstra, Ph.D.
Electron Microscopy Consulting
Beaufort, NC

EDITOR:

Kathleen A. Szabo, DVM, MS
Senior Veterinary Pathologist
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
Frederick, MD