Histology (Module 3 Lecture 4)

Accessory Digestive System

DATE 11.10.2015

Dr. Reginette Villoria

OUTLINE
A.

B.
C.
D.

Salivary Glands
a. Duct Systems
b. Parotid Gland
c. Submandibular Gland
d. Sublingual Gland
e. Minor Salivary Glands
Liver
Pancreas
Gall Bladder

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

SALIVARY GLANDS

Branched tubulo-alveolar/acinar glands

Secretes saliva into the oral cavity
colorless liquid ( H2O, CHO, CHON, mucin,
mineral salts and enzymes/lysozymes)

Saliva is a hypotonic watery secretion containing

variable amounts of mucus, enzymes (principally
amylase and the antibacterial enzyme
lysozyme), antibodies and inorganic ions.

Two types of secretory cells are found in the

salivary glands: serous cells and mucous cells.

It is usually acidic, below pH 7 (pH6.7-7.4).

CLASSIFICATIONS
1. Size
A. Small: Lingual Glands
Von Ebners gland (posterior lingual)
-Found underneath the circumvallate
-mixed (serous and mucous)
Blandins gland (anterior lingual)
-mucous
B. Large Parotid, Submandibular, Sublingual

The terminal secretory units merge to form small

intercalated ducts which are also lined by
secretory cells.
They drain into larger ducts called striated ducts,
so named because of their striated appearance by
light microscopy. The striations result from the
presence of numerous inter-digitations of the
basal cytoplasmic processes of adjacent columnar
lining cells.
The gland is divided into numerous lobules L,
each containing many secretory units. Connective
tissue septa radiate between the lobules from an
outer capsule and convey blood vessels, nerves
and large excretory/ interlobular ducts E.
Serous Acinus
Acinus / Tubule
Dark basophilic stain
Round nucleus
With a lumen

Mucous Acinus
Lightly Stained
Flattened, Basal nucleus
Columnar / cuboidal

2. Secretions - serous, mucous or mixed

Serous watery, basophilic (dark)
Mucous lipid, lightly stained
Mixed serous demilunes can be seen
3. Site of opening of duct oral vestibule or oral
cavity proper
Communication between oral vestibule and oral
cavity: last molar
SALIVARY SECRETORY UNIT

The salivary secretory unit consists of a terminal

branched tubuloacinar structure composed
exclusively of either serous or mucous secretory
cells or a mixture of both types.

In mixed secretory units where mucous cells

predominate, serous cells often form semilunar
caps called serous demilunes surrounding the
terminal part of the mucous acini.

Myoepithelial cells embrace the secretory units,

their contraction helping to expel the secretory
product.

DUCT SYSTEM OF LARGE SALIVARY GLANDS

A. INTERCALATED DUCT
o Lined by cuboidal cells
o Round nucleus
o Intralobular
B. SECRETORY/STRIATED DUCTS

Lined by columnar cells, eosinophilic

cytoplasm and basal striations

The basal cytoplasm appears striated,

reflecting
the
presence
of
basal
interdigitations of cytoplasmic processes of
adjacent cells and associated columns of
mitochondria.

It lined by tall columnar eithelium

It has an apical nuclei
The duct epithelium also secretes lysozyme
and immunoglobulin (Ig) A. In predominantly
serous salivary glands, the striated ducts are
larger than in predominantly mucous glands,
a feature associated with the role of the
striated duct in modifying isotonic basic
saliva to produce hypotonic saliva.
It has a big lumen, round nucleus, tall
columnar cells. It has basal striations.

C. EXCRETORY DUCTS/INTERLOBULAR DUCTS

Stratified columnar
I. PAROTID GLAND
o Largest
o Main duct Stensens duct
o Purely serous gland
o It divides into lobules with the septa
radiating between lobules
o It carries BV, nerves & excretory
duct
o The parotid gland consists mainly of serous
secretory units which are darkly stained in
H&E preparations. The serous cells (SC) have
numerous zymogen granules.
o These are strongly stained cytoplasmic
granules containing proteins. Their nuclei
are rounded with dispersed chromatin and
they usually occupy a more central position
within the cell (compared to mucus secreting
cell.)
o An intercalated duct (ID) with a lining of
cuboidal secretory cells can be seen.
II. SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND
o Second largest
o Main duct Whartons duct
o Mixed gland, predominantly serous
o With Serous demilunes of Gianuzzi
o The submandibular gland consists of a
mixture of serous and mucous secretory
units which are often found in the form of
mixed Sero-mucous secretory units.
o The mixed secretory units consist of mucous
acini M with serous demilunes (SD).

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III. SUBLINGUAL GLAND

o Under the tongue
o Major duct Bartholins duct
o Minor duct Rivinus
o Mixed gland, predominantly mucous
o With serous demilunes of Gianuzzi
o No fibrous capsule
o Mucous acini predominate in the sublingual
glands, making them stain very poorly with
H&E, in contrast to the serous acini shown in
the parotid.
o A large excretory duct lined by a stratified
cuboidal epithelium is present in the fibrous
tissue septum. The duct is accompanied by
blood vessels and nerves.
o Contains occasional adipocytes
o Proportion of adipose tissue
increases with age

IV. MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS

o Seen in the buccal mucosa layer, in the tongue
and lips
o Von Ebners Gland watery secretions
o Lingual mucous glands
LIVER
o GENERAL INFORMATION

Largest internal organ;

Derived from foregut

BAGSIT, CEREZO, CORTEZ, FLORALDE

HEPATOCYTES: Key cells of this organ & arranged in

rows/cords separated by sinusoids with 1-2 centrally
located nucleus;

Main Digestive Function: BILE PRODUCTION for

fat

liver parenchyma
emulsification (Exocrine Function);

Other Functions:
o Plasma
protein
synthesis
like
fibrinogen, prothrombin, albumin,
o apolipoproteins
&
transferring
(Endocrine Function);
o Gluconeogenesis;
o Detoxification;
o Deamination;
o Glucose storage in the form of glycogen
& triglycerides;
o Fat-soluble vitamin storage especially
Vit. A;
o Removal of effete RBC;
o Storage of Iron
o Blood flow
o Hepatic portal vein
o Hepatic artery

TIGHT JUNCTIONS: Connects hepatocytes

together;
DESMESOMES: Structure where the basal lamina
is attached;
CENTRAL VEIN: Center of a hepatic lobule;
o Flow of blood: TOWARDS central vein;
o Flow of bile: AWAY from central vein;
PORTAL TRIAD: Peripherally located vessels of a
hepatic lobule; contains:
o PORTAL VEIN (Venule): Rich in nutrient
but low in oxygen;
o HEPATIC ARTERY (Arteriole): Supplies
oxygen into the hepatic lobule
o BILE DUCTULES: Cuboidal Epithelium &
branches of the biliary system.
o Bordered
by a layer of

hepatocytes known
limiting plate

as

the

SINUSOIDS: Between all the plates of

hepatocytes of a hepatic lobule & contains mixed
type of blood.
SINUSOIDAL BV:
Discontinuous linings of fenestrated endothelial
cells;
LE of simple squamous cells;
Why discontinued & fenestrated?
It allows to fill the SPACE OF DISSE
(Perisinusoidal space) and directly bathes
the many microvilli projections from the
hepatocytes;
SPACE OF DISSE: narrow space which

separates the hepatocytes from the

sinusoids

Taken from the book

TANDAAN: Eto ang portal trial/portal tract. Portal vein
ang pinakamalaki. Yung maliliit na structures will be
hepatic artery and bile duct. Kapag makapal ang wall,
ARTERY yun. Yung bile duct yung may SIMPLE
CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM.
HEPATOCYTES & HEPATIC LOBULES
o Polyhedral cells with round nuclei, peripherally
dispersed chromatin
o Strongly eosinophilic cytoplasm due to numerous
mitochondria
o Lipofuscin
o Present in variable amounts
o Fine brown granules (wear and tear
pigment)

HEPATIC LOBULES: Basic functional unit of the

liver & these are polygonal in shape;

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Hepatic lobule microvasculature

(a) Hepatocytes (H) are polygonal epithelial cells that
form branching, irregular plates separated by
venous sinusoids (S). (b) Reticulin (collagen type
III) fibers (R) running along the plates of
hepatocytes (H), supporting these and the
intervening sinusoids. Most connective tissue in
the liver is found in the septa and portal tracts. (c)
With plates of hepatocytes (H) appearing to
radiate from it, the central vein (C) of the lobule
has more collagen than the smaller sinusoids (S)
that drain into it from all directions (d) Peripheral
portal areas contain more connective tissue and
are the sites of the portal triad: a portal venule
(PV), an arteriole branching off the hepatic artery
(HA), and one or two bile ductules (BD).
Absorbed food pass to the liver via the hepatic
portal vein. Oxygen required by the liver is supplied
via the hepatic artery. After passing through the
sinusoids, venous drainage occurs via the portal
vein.

BAGSIT, CEREZO, CORTEZ, FLORALDE

KUPFFER CELLS:
o Stellate macrophages from monocytes;
o Within the sinusoidal linings;
o Phagocytose aged RBCs;
o Antigen-presenting cells;
o Removes bacteria/debris in the portal
blood.
Hepatic sinusoids.
In the endothelial lining of the hepatic sinusoids
are numerous specialized stellate macrophages
or Kupffer cells that detect and phagocytose
effete erythrocytes. (a) Kupffer cells (K) are seen
as black cells in a liver lobule from a rat injected
with particulate India ink. (b) In a plastic section,
Kupffer cells (K) are seen in the sinusoid (S)
between two groups of hepatocytes (H). They are
larger than the flattened endothelial cells (E).
Between the endothelium and the hepatocytes is
a very thin space called the perisinusoidal space
(PS) of Disse, in which are located small hepatic
stellate cells (HS), or Ito cells, that maintain the
very sparse ECM of this compartment and also
store vitamin A in small lipid droplets.
ITO CELLS:
o Hepatic stellate cells;
o Stores fat-soluble vitamins like Vit. A;
o Produces extracellular matrix and
cytokines.
BILE FLOW:
Hepatocytes >>> Bile Canaliculi (smallest branch
of the biliary tree) >>> Canals of Hering
(composed of cholangiocytes) >>> Bile ductules
(LE: simple cuboidal-columnar cells) >>> Hepatic
ducts
Bile ductules
Near the periphery of each hepatic
lobule, many bile canaliculi join with the
much larger bile canals of Hering, which
are lined by cuboidal epithelial cells
called cholangiocytes. These canals

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soon join the bile ductules in the portal

areas and drain into the biliary tree.

STRUCTURAL & FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

CLASSICAL HEPATIC LOBULE

o Contains plenty of RER;
o For protein synthesis (Endocrine
functions);
o Blood flows past hepatocytes from the
portal areas to a central venule.

Hepatic lobule.
In humans these lobules have much less
connective tissue and their boundaries are more
difficult to distinguish. In both cases peripheral
connective tissue of portal areas contains the
portal triad: small bile ductules (D), venule (V)
branches of the portal vein, and arteriole (A)
branches of the hepatic artery.

PORTAL LOBULE
o Contains plenty of peroxysomes;
o For detoxification and bile secretion
(Exocrine functions);
o From one portal area to another portal
area;
o Portal areas are rich in oxygen,
nutrients and connective tissue.

HEPATIC ACINUS

Emphasizes the nature of blood supply to the

hepatocytes and the oxygen gradient from the
hepatic artery to central vein;

For oxygen and nutrient supply;

From one central vein to another central vein

ZONE I
o For oxidative metabolism such as
protein synthesis;
o 1st to be affected during toxicity.

ZONE II
o Intermediate metabolism between
Zone I & II.

ZONE III
o Anaerobic metabolism;
o Preferential sites for glycolysis, lipid
formation
and
drug
biotransformations;
o 1st to be affected during low oxygen
level;
o 1st to undergo fatty accumulation and
ischemic necrosis.

Concepts of structure-function relationships in

liver.

The classic lobule concept offers a basic

understanding of the structure function
relationship in liver organization and emphasizes
the endocrine function of hepatocytes as blood
flows past them toward the central vein.

The portal lobule emphasizes the hepatocytes

exocrine function and the flow of bile from
regions of three classic lobules toward the bile
duct in the portal triad at the center here. The

BAGSIT, CEREZO, CORTEZ, FLORALDE

area drained by each bile duct is roughly

triangular.
The hepatic acinus concept emphasizes the
different oxygen and nutrient contents of blood
at different distances along the sinusoids, with
blood from each portal area supplying cells in two
or more classic lobules.
Major activity of each hepatocyte is determined
by its location along the oxygen/nutrient
gradient: periportal cells of zone I get the most
oxygen and nutrients and show metabolic activity
generally different from the pericentral
hepatocytes of zone III, exposed to the lowest
oxygen and nutrient concentrations. Many
pathologic changes in the liver are best
understood from the point of view of liver acini.
OTHER NOTES
Notes
o Liver has a strong capacity for cell
regeneration unlike the salivary glands
and pancreas;
o Regeneration rate is slow;
o Liver stem cells had shown a role in
regeneration in some experimental
models like the oval cells;
o Oval
cells
are
present
among
cholangiocytes of bile canals near portal
are and produce progenator cells for both
cholangiocytes and hepatocytes.

The smallest tributaries (of the duct

system) is known as intercalated ducts.

main pancreatic
duct

intercalated duct

common
bile duct

ampulla of
Vater

intralobular
duct

doudenum

interlobular
duct

Ganito ang drainage ng pancreatic secretion. Galing ng acinus magdedrain sya sa intercalated duct hanggang mapunta sya sa interlobular
duct. So anong pinagkaiba ng itsura nila?
Ang IC duct ay may SIMPLE CUBOIDAL. Habang lumalaki yung duct,
nagiging stratified cuboidal na sya. Pano malalaman kapag
intralobular o interlobular na? Take note of the LOCATION. Ang
INTERLOBULAR DUCT ay makikita sa SEPTUM.
So kapag ka stratified cuboidal na sya pero wala sa septum,
INTRALOBULAR DUCT yun. Tingnan nyo yung pcture and identify.

PANCREAS (Exocrine part)

o
o
o

Compound tubo-acinar gland

Derived from foregut
Endocrine and exocrine- produces both
digestive enzymes and hormones
o ENDOCRINE FUNCTION

Islet of Langerhans cluster

of epithelial cells where
hormones are synthesized
o EXOCRINE FUNCTION

Functional unit- serous or

pancreatic acini (similar
structure to parotid gland,
can be distinguished by
absence of striated ducts and
presence
of
islets
in
pancreas)
Secretes 1.5 to 2L of fluid/day
Encapsulated
Consists of secretory acini
Secretions drain into the main pancreatic duct
Each acinus is made up of irregular cluster of
pyramidal secretory cells
o The apices of surround a central lumen
VISCID

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Pancreatic juice is rich in bicarbonate ions

o Digestive enzymes include:
o proteases
o proelastases
o protease E
o lipases
o a-amylase
o nucleases
The exocrine function secretes an enzyme-rich
alkaline fluid into the duodenum via the
pancreatic duct. The high pH of pancreatic
secretions is due to a high content of bicarbonate
ions and serves to neutralise the acidic chyme as
it enters the small intestine from the stomach.
The pancreatic enzymes degrade proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids by the
process of luminal digestion. Like pepsin in the
stomach, the pancreatic proteolytic enzymes
trypsin and chymotrypsin are secreted in an
inactive form.
Enterokinase, an enzyme secreted by the
duodenal mucosa, activates protrypsin to form
trypsin. Trypsin then activates prochymotrypsin
to form chymotrypsin. This mechanism prevents
autodigestion of the pancreas. The other

BAGSIT, CEREZO, CORTEZ, FLORALDE

pancreatic enzymes are secreted in the active

form.
Centroacinar cells
o small, pale-staining
Intercalated ducts
o merge to form to form larger interlobular ducts
lined by columnar epithelium
**No ducts in the pancreas are striated

GALL BLADDER

Muscular sac lined by simple columnar

epithelium with basally located nuclei
Presence of lipid in the duodenum promotes
secretion of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK)
o CCK stimulates contraction of the gall
bladder, forcing bile into the duodenum
Mucosa is thrown into many folds
Submucosa is rich in elastic fbers
Muscularis layer is arranged in longitudinal,
transverse, and oblique orientations
SPHINCTER OF ODDI
o The sphincter of ampulla or sphincter of
Oddi is a muscular valve that controls
the flow of digestive juices (bile and
pancreatic juice) through the ampulla
of Vater into the second part of the
duodenum
Consists of 4 muscles:

Sphincter choledochus
surrounds
and
controls
terminal region of common
bile duct, to stop flow into
duodenum

Sphincter pancreaticus
from pancreatic duct

Sphincter longitudinalis
triangular interval of ampulla
of Vater, pancreatic duct and
common bile duct

Sphincter ampullae from

ampulla of Vater

References:
Wheaters
Junqueiras
Trans of Upclass

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BAGSIT, CEREZO, CORTEZ, FLORALDE