Department of Anatomy,

Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,

College of Health Sciences,
Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State.

ANA 206 (Histology of the Thorax and Abdomen)

(2 Units)

ADELEKE Opeyemi Samson.

Histology of the Larynx and Salivary glands

FIFTH (5TH) WEEK LECTURE

  INTRODUCTION
 The respiratory system includes the lungs and a system of
tubes that links the sites of gas exchange with the external
environment

 The respiratory system is customarily divided into two

principal regions:
 A conducting portion, consisting of the nasal cavity,
nasopharynx, LARYNX, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and
terminal bronchioles.

 A respiratory portion (where gas exchange takes place),

consisting of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and
alveoli.
  LARYNX
 The larynx, situated between the pharynx and the trachea, is a rigid, short,
cylindrical tube 4 cm in length and approximately 4 cm in diameter.

 It is responsible for phonation and prevents the entry of solids or liquids into
the respiratory system during swallowing.

 The wall of the larynx is reinforced by several hyaline cartilages:

 The unpaired thyroid and cricoid cartilages
 The inferior aspect of the paired arytenoids)
 Elastic cartilages (the unpaired epiglottis, the paired corniculate and cuneiform
cartilages
 The superior aspect of the arytenoids.

 These cartilages are connected to one another by ligaments, and their

movements with respect to one another are controlled by intrinsic and
extrinsic skeletal muscles.
  LARYNX

 The thyroid and cricoid cartilages form the cylindrical support for the larynx.

 Epiglottis provides a cover over the laryngeal opening.

 During respiration, the epiglottis is in the vertical position, permitting the flow of air.
 During swallowing of food, fluids, or saliva, however, it is positioned horizontally,
closing the laryngeal opening.

 The lumen of the larynx is characterized by two pairs of shelf-like folds:

 The superiorly positioned immovable vestibular folds (False vocal cord)
 The inferiorly placed vocal folds (True vocal cord).

 The vestibular folds lamina propria, composed of loose connective tissue, houses
seromucous glands, adipose cells, and lymphoid elements.

 The free edge of each vocal fold is reinforced by dense, regular elastic connective
tissue, the vocal ligament.
  LARYNX
 Striated Vocalis muscles and other intrinsic muscles connected with the vocal
ligaments regulate the tension of each vocal fold.

 As expelled air is forced between the folds, variable tension in these vocal cords
produces different sounds.

 The longer and more relaxed the vocal folds, the deeper the pitch of the sound.

 The larynx especially the Vestibular fold is lined by pseudostratified ciliated

columnar epithelium.
 The superior surfaces of the epiglottis and vocal folds (true vocal cord) are lined
by stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium.

 The cilia of the larynx beat toward the pharynx, transporting mucus and trapped
particulate matter toward the mouth to be expectorated or swallowed
 LARYNX

The Photomicrograph shows the upper laryngeal vestibule (LV), which is surrounded by seromucous
glands (G). The lateral walls of this region bulge as a pair of broad folds, the vestibular folds (VF). Below
each large vestibular fold is a narrow space or ventricle (V) end with lymphoid nodules (L). Below this
ventricle is another pair of lateral folds, the vocal folds or cords (VC) which are covered by stratified
squamous epithelium and project more sharply into the lumen. Each contains a large striated vocalis
muscle (VM) and nearer the surface is a small ligament. X15. H&E.
SALIVARY GLAND
  INTRODUCTION
 Gland is an organ of secretion made up of specialized
secretory cells derived from the surface epithelium on
which it opens.

 Secretory cells form functional units called secretory

end pieces which may be flask (Acinus) or cylindrical
(Tubular)shaped

 Fluid secreted may be Serous (enzymes, hormones) or

mucus.

 Secretion is modulated by nervous and hormonal

influences.

 Myoepithelial cells are star shaped, contractile, lie

between the secretory cells and the basement
  SALIVARY GLAND
 Salivary gland is an exocrine type of gland which has digestive, lubricating, and
protective functions.

 There are three pairs of large salivary glands: Major Salivary gland (The parotid,
submandibular, and sublingual glands)

 Salivary gland also has minor glands in mucosa and submucosa which secrete 10% of
the total volume of saliva.
 Salivary glands produce 0.75 to 1.50 L of saliva
daily with a usual pH of 6.5–6.9,
Composition of Saliva
1. 97-99% water with a pH of 6.7-7
2. Electrolytes mainly Na+, K+, Cl-, PO4- , HCO3-
3. Salivary amylase
4. Mucin
5. IgA antibodies, lysozyme, defensins
 MICROSCOPIC LOOK OF THE SALIVARY GLAND
 A capsule of connective tissue surrounds each major salivary gland.

 The parenchyma of each capsule consists of secretory endpieces and a branching

duct system arranged in lobules, separated by connective tissue septa originating
from the capsule.
 The secretion of each gland is either serous, seromucous, or mucous.

 Saliva from the parotids is serous and watery.

 The submandibular and sublingual glands produce a seromucous secretion.

 Minor glands secrete mostly mucus.

 Two major kinds of secretory cells occur (Serous and Mucous cells).
 MICROSCOPIC LOOK OF THE SALIVARY GLAND
 SEROUS CELLS are polarized protein and digestive enzymes secreting cells

 Serous cells are pyramidal in shape, with a broad base resting on the basal
lamina and a narrow apical surface facing the lumen

 Each serous cells are joined together to form a spherical mass of cells called an
acinus, with a very small lumen in the center.

 Acini and their duct system resemble grapes attached to a stem. Serous acinar
cells largely produce digestive enzymes and other proteins.

 Serous cells nuclei are rounded with accumulation of rough ER.

 The nuclei of MUCOUS CELLS are flattened with condensed chromatin which
are located near the bases of the cells.
 MICROSCOPIC LOOK OF THE SALIVARY GLAND
 Mucous cells are more cuboidal or columnar in shape, with nuclei pressed
toward the bases of the cells.
 They are mucus-secreting cells containing hydrophilic glycoprotein mucins.
 Mucous cells are most often organized as tubules.
 The secretory units of salivary glands merge into intercalated ducts, which are
lined by simple low cuboidal epithelium.
 Intercalated ducts continue on as striated ducts which are lined by columnar
cells.
 Striated ducts have a folded basal membrane, to enable active transport of
substances out of the duct.
 The striated ducts lead into interlobular (excretory) ducts, lined with a tall
columnar epithelium
MICROSCOPIC LOOK OF THE SALIVARY GLAND
MICROSCOPIC LOOK OF THE SALIVARY GLAND
 Histological Features specific to each group of major salivary glands
Parotid gland
 Located in each cheek near the ear

 Is a branched acinar gland with secretory portions composed exclusively of

serous cells surrounding very small lumens.

 Serous cells contain secretory granules with abundant -amylase and proline-rich
proteins.

 Amylase activity is responsible for most of the hydrolysis of ingested

carbohydrates which begins in the mouth.

 Proline-rich proteins, the most abundant factors in parotid saliva, have

antimicrobial properties and Ca2+ binding properties that may help maintain the
surface of enamel.
Parotid gland
 Histological Features specific to each group of major salivary glands
Submandibular gland
 Is a branched tubuloacinar gland, with secretory portions containing both
mucous and serous cells.

 The serous cells are the main component of this gland and are easily
distinguished from mucous cells by their rounded nuclei and basophilic
cytoplasm.

 Most of the secretory units in this gland are serous acinar, with about 10%
consisting of mucous tubules capped with serous cells (serous demilunes).

 Lateral and basal membrane infoldings of the serous cells increase the ion-
transporting surface area and facilitate electrolyte and water transport.

 Serous cells of the submandibular gland secrete amylase, proline-rich proteins

and lysozyme (which hydrolyzes the walls in many types of bacteria).
Submandibular gland

Submandibular gland shows well-stained

cells in serous acini (A) and in serous
demilunes (S) and pale-staining mucous
cells (M). Small intralobular ducts (ID) drain
each lobule, but these are not composed of
columnar cells with well-developed
striations.
Histological Features specific to each group of major salivary glands
Sublingual gland

 Is a branched tubuloacinar gland formed of

serous and mucous cells.
 Here mucous cells predominate with serous cells
only present in demilunes on mucous tubules.
 The major salivary product is mucus, but cells of
the serous demilunes in this gland secrete
amylase and lysozyme.

Sublingual gland shows poorly stained mucous cells (M). Small

intralobular ducts (ID) are seen in connective tissue, as well as
small fascicles of lingual striated muscle (SM). H&E