Acinus

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Acinus
Illustrated section of pancreas of dog. X 250. (Alveolus labeled at center top.)
Centroacinar cells

An acinus (adjective: acinar, plural acini) refers to any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed "berry," such as a raspberry (acinus is Latin for berry). The berry-shaped termination of an exocrine gland, where the secretion is produced is acinar in form, as is the alveolar sac containing multiple alveoli in the lungs.

Contents 1 Exocrine glands 2 The Lungs 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Exocrine glands

Acinar exocrine glands are found in many organs, including:

• the stomach^[1]

• the sebaceous gland of the scalp

• the salivary glands of the tongue^[2]

• the liver

• the lacrimal glands

• the mammary glands

• the pancreas ^[3]

• the bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands

Mucous acini usually stain pale, while serous acini usually stain dark.

The term "acinus" is considered synonymous with alveolus by some sources, but not all.

[edit] The Lungs

The respiratory bronchioles in the lungs terminate in acini, many-lobed sacs containing groupings of alveoli.

[edit] See also

• Intercalated duct

[edit] References

1. ^ Histology at OU 51_07 - pyloric stomach
2. ^ Histology at OU 46_03 - sublingual gland
3. ^ Histology at BU 10405loa

[edit] External links

• acinus at eMedicine Dictionary

v • d • e Glands (Endocrine, Exocrine) Classification Mechanism Merocrine · Apocrine · Holocrine Shape Tubular gland · Alveolar gland Secretion Serous glands · Mucous glands · Serous demilune Ducts Interlobar duct · Interlobular duct · Intralobular duct (Striated duct, Intercalated duct) · Acinus/Lobe