The large number of glands
associated with the digestive canal range from unicellular
components such as goblet cells and small tubuloalveolar units
residing in the mucosa to very large separate organs such as the
pancreas and liver. Although their secretions can be quite
dissimilar, they all function to promote the digestive process by
imparting enzymes or mucus into the ingested food. Bile, the
exocrine secretion of the liver, is stored and concentrated in
another organ, the gallbladder.
Learning objectives:
- Recognize and understand the
difference between serous and mucous acini in salivary glands
- Understand histological and
functional differences between the salivary glands and the
exocrine pancreas.
- Understand the microscopic
anatomy of the liver and how the arrangement of cells in this
organ relates to the diverse functions of the liver
The structure of the glands is shown
schematically in this diagram, which also shows the
comparison with the pancreas which is histologically very similar to
the major salivary glands. Click the image for an
expanded view.
What is the general function of
serous glands?
What is the usual function of
mucus?
 Clinical note: The childhood
disease called mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands,
almost always the parotid glands, causing swelling and tenderness
for a week or so. The disease is
usually self-limiting but the virus can spread to other organs,
including the inner ear where it can lead to
deafness.
Now for the
pancreas |
