Salivary Gland, Parotid, Acinus - Hypertrophy

Diffuse hypertrophy of parotid salivary gland acinar cells not associated with basophilic foci is rare in NTP studies. Likewise, diffuse acinar cell hypertrophy of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands is rare in B6C3F1 mice and Fischer 344 rats. Acinar cell hypertrophy (Figure 2) is characterized by increased cell size primarily due to an increase in cytoplasm, although the nuclei are also usually larger in hypertrophied cells. The intense basophilia seen with hypertrophic basophilic foci is not present, and the cells are typically not as large. Diffuse hypertrophy of acinus cells often can be a subtle change requiring close comparison with control animals.