MH 094 Parotid

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Parotid

The parotid is the largest of the salivary glands. It is almost entirely serous with only a few scattered mucous cells.

Stroma - the connective tissue component of the gland.
- - connective tissue that encapsulates the gland.
- Lobes - connective tissue divides the gland into lobes.
- - connective tissue further divides lobes into lobules - the smallest functional unit.
Parenchyma - the functional component of the gland that consists of secretory cells and ducts
- - arranged in acini of pyramidal serous cells. These polarized cells have rough endoplasmic reticulum at their base (basophilic) and secretion granules (eosinophilic) at their apex
- - polarized cells with flattened nuclei at the bottom of the cells. They are very lightly stained with a "foamy" appearance (mucous has been extracted).
- Intralobular Ducts - two types are found within lobules:
  - Intercalated Ducts (,,) - the smallest ducts that insert into and drain individual acini. They are more lightly stained than acini cells and are low cuboidal.
  - - arise from intercalated ducts. They are columnar with basal striations and are surrounded by capillaries.
- Interlobular (or extralobular) Ducts (,) - found outside of lobules.
  - Simple columnar, stratified columnar or stratified cuboidal epithelium.
  - Supported by a thick layer of connective tissue.

Note the abundance of adipose cells which increases with age.