Serous gland

Serous glands secrete serous fluid. They contain serous acini, a grouping of serous cells that secrete serous fluid, isotonic with blood plasma, that contains enzymes such as alpha-amylase.

Serous glands are most common in the parotid gland and lacrimal gland but are also present in the submandibular gland and, to a far lesser extent, the sublingual gland.

Serous acinar cells are the primary secretory cells of serous glands. They have a characteristic pyramidal shape, with a broad base that rests on the basement membrane and a narrow apex that faces the lumen of the acinus. These cells typically form spherical or tubular structures called acini (singular: acinus), which are the basic functional units of exocrine glands.

Histologically, serous acinar cells exhibit:

These cells are organized into acini that connect to intercalated ducts, which then merge to form larger excretory ducts.

Under electron microscopy, serous acinar cells reveal:

Serous acinar cells, like other exocrine secretory cells, develop through a process of branching morphogenesis and cellular differentiation.

The development of serous acinar cells follows several key stages: