Microanatomical, histochemical and morphometric features of the major and selected minor salivary glands in laboratory Wistar rat.

The major and minor salivary glands are responsible for saliva production, a fluid drained in the oral cavity that will be involved in several functions at this level. The present study aimed to compare the microanatomy of the major (parotid, mandibular, sublingual) and minor salivary glands (von Ebner's and Weber's) of the Wistar rat, from a histological, histochemical and morphometrically point of view. Predominantly serous glands (parotid, mandibular and von Ebner's) showed differences in the secretion composition on both PAS and alcian blue reactions. The same observations were identified also for the mostly mucous salivary glands (sublingual and Weber). In terms of surface dimensions, the measurements suggested that the mucous acini have a greater surface compared with the serous ones, and, at the same time, a better-represented polymorphism. In conclusion, the major and minor salivary glands in Wistar rats, a commonly used species in experimental procedures, showed similarities with other species including humans, but some structural traits are breed-specific, this finding is very important for an extensive understanding of the morphophysiology of the salivary glands.

Labial and buccal minor salivary glands of the dog - location, three-dimensional arrangement and histology.

OBJECTIVE: Transplantation of minor salivary glands (MSGs) to the conjunctiva is a treatment option for patients suffering from dry eye disease. As there is not enough information about labial and buccal MSGs in dogs, the aim of this study was to provide evidence of the presence of these glands and to investigate their spatial arrangement and excretory ducts. METHODS: The oral mucosa of the lower lip of 4 dogs and the whole lower jaw of 1 dog were used for histological and microCT analysis. Presence, number, volumes and the tissue depth of MSGs were assessed. RESULTS: Histological analysis showed that compact tubulo-acinar glands were located in the submucosal connective tissue. MicroCT images revealed that 9 to 21 MSGs were arranged in a single row at the level of the dental alveolae. The volume of the MSGs increased from rostral to caudal and the total volume of glandular tissue per animal ranged from 35.01 mm3 to 549.43 mm3 . The mean tissue depth of MSGs ranged from 0.57 mm to 1.37 mm (upper surface of glands) and between 1.43 mm and 3.09 mm (lower surface of the glands). Excretory ducts left the dorsal part of the glands and ran in dorso-rostral direction. CONCLUSIONS: The location, number and volume of the labial and buccal MSGs in the dog could be detected and described using microCT scans and histology. The present results can provide valuable information for future transplantation of labial MSGs as therapeutic measure against keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Anatomic and magnetic resonance imaging features of the salivary glands in the dog.

The aim of the study was to describe the anatomical location and the topographic relationship of the major salivary glands to associated tissues in six dog cadavers by high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gross anatomical dissections and sections. Spin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained in transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes with a 1.5 T magnet. The digastric muscle, the external auditory canal, the eyeball, and the medial pterygoid muscle were the most consistent topographic landmarks for the identification of the mandibular, parotid, and zygomatic salivary glands, respectively. The best differentiation and contrast of the glands was observed in the T2-weighted images. In contrast with the osseous and muscular tissues, the salivary glands appeared hyperintense in greater or lesser measure except for the parotid gland, which displayed a hypointense signal. The rostral part of the monostomatic sublingual gland was precisely located between the tongue and the mylohyoid muscle. The best delineation between the caudal part of the monostomatic sublingual gland and the cranial aspect of the mandibular gland was observed in dorsal MRI at the level of the palate and the branches of the superior dental arcade. Good evaluation of the mandibular, parotid, caudal part of the monostomatic sublingual, zygomatic and buccal ventral glands was possible in sagittal MRI in close relation with the external auditory canal and the temporomandibular joint. The ventral buccal glands were also observed near the buccal vestibule as was the palatine glands within the soft palate.

Anatomical study of the so-called "retromolar gland": Distinguishing normal anatomy from oral cavity pathology.

The minor salivary glands in the retromolar trigone have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to better define the anatomy of the minor salivary glands in the retromolar trigone and establish the relationships between these and adjacent structures. The gland in the retromolar trigone was exposed and its relationships to surrounding structures were observed on 20 cadaveric sides. The boundaries of the gland included the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, the tendon of the buccinator muscle, and loose connective tissue. The gland was not continuous with the pterygomandibular or parapharyngeal spaces, but loose connective tissue was present between glands in the retromolar trigone and the medial pterygoid muscle. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the detailed anatomy of the minor salivary gland in the retromolar trigone. We suggest that the minor salivary gland in the retromolar trigone should be named the "retromolar gland." Clin. Anat. 31:462-465, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Morphological Study of the Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) Tongue.

This study described the morphological features of the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) tongue using light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The keratinized filiform papillae were distributed all over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue and contained small processes. They were changed into a cylindrical shape in the body and conical shape in the root. The fungiform papillae were found on the apex and margin of the tongue. Few taste pores were observed on the dorsal surface of each papilla. The foliate papillae on the margins of the tongue were composed of several laminae and epithelial fissures. Taste buds were not seen within the non-keratinized epithelium. The vallate papillae were six in total and arranged in a "V" shape just rostral to the root. Each papilla was surrounded by a groove and pad. Taste buds were seen within their lateral walls. Lyssa was visible on the ventral surface of the tongue tip and was found as cartilaginous tissue surrounded by thin connective tissue fibres. The core of the tongue was composed of lingual glands, skeletal muscle and connective tissue. These glands were confined to the posterior portion of the tongue and were composed of many serous cells and a few mucous cells. The results of this study contributed to the knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the tongue of wild mammals and provided data for the comparison with other mammals.

Infiltrado inflamatório em glândulas salivares menores e amostras hepáticas de pacientes com hepatite C crônica: a padrão de distribuição e imunifenótipo / Inflammatory infiltrate in salivary glands and liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C: pattern of distribution and immunophenotype

A hepatite C crônica afeta aproximadamente 3% da população mundial e se tornou a maior responsável por cirrose e transplante hepático no mundo Ocidental. É causada pelo vírus da hepatite C, sendo a inflamação hepática uma das consequências da infecção. Dentre as alterações consideradas extra-hepáticas ligadas às glândulas salivares, a síndorme sicca afeta 4 a 57% dos pacientes. no entanto, poucos estudos buscaram esclarecer a composição do infiltrado inflamatório glandular e sua possível relação com outras características da doença. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a composição e a distribuição do infiltradoinflamatório presente em glândulas salivares menores de pacientes portadores de hepatite C crônica, comparando com o infiltrado presente em fígado e com dados laboratoriais dos pacientes...

Anatomical and histological structure of the tongue and histochemical characteristics of the lingual salivary glands in the Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, Gray 1830).

1. The aim of the study was to examine the morphology of the tongue and the histochemical features of the lingual salivary glands in this species. 2. The tongue was elongated, terminating in a rather sharp, dagger-like apex. On the surface of the tongue and situated between the body and root of the tongue, two rows of conical papillae, the sharp apices of which pointed towards the posterior part of the tongue, were observed. The keratinised epithelium lining the dorsal surface lacked typical gustatory papillae. However, it was observed that taste buds were present in the epithelium of the lingual body and root. The tongue was supported by a structure composed of hyaline cartilage, the paraglossum, which extended from the lingual root to the apex. Simple branched tubular glands, which were encapsulated by connective tissue, were embedded within the submucosa in the body (anterior salivary glands) and root (posterior salivary glands) of the tongue. It was observed that the secretion of the lingual glands contained neutral mucins, proteoglycans containing carboxylic acid, weak and strong sulphated groups, N-acetylated sialomucins, but lacked glycogen. 3. It was demonstrated that, the general morphological features, papillary distribution of the tongue and the histological structure of the mucosa epithelium and the supportive elements displayed similarity to those of other domestic avian species. It was also determined that, in view of the particular feeding types, in the partridge, the presence of the papillary crest was not correlated with diet.

In vivo imaging of human labial glands using advanced optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has emerged as a high-resolution noninvasive clinical imaging application. The purpose of this study was to show OCT images of human labial glands obtained using a swept-source (SS) OCT system. STUDY DESIGN: Labial gland OCT imaging was carried out using our new SS-OCT system for 5 healthy volunteers using a hand-held in vivo OCT scanning probe. The labial tissue was scanned in a superior to inferior direction in 2 and 3 dimensions. RESULTS: The resulting 2- and 3-dimensional ultrahigh-resolution images of in vivo OCT human labial minor salivary glands revealed the epithelium, connective tissue, lobes, and duct. OCT was capable of providing simultaneous and noninvasive structural information with high resolution. CONCLUSION: This clinical imaging modality promises to have clinical impact in the diagnosis of such conditions as Sjögren syndrome and xerostomia.

Ultrastructure and lectin cytochemistry of secretory cells in lingual glands of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

In the present study, as continuation of our previous research, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) lingual glands were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to understand the cytoarchitecture and the subcellular sugar distribution within the different secretory structures. Indeed, glycosidic residues were visualized by applying an indirect technique of binding and the terminal sialoglycoconjugate sequences were characterized by employing sialidase digestion combined with lectin affinity. The ultrastructural analysis revealed an unusual cytoarchitecture of the caudal portion of anterior lingual gland that was composed of both secretory cells, filled with granules, and non-secretory cells, filled with mitochondria. Conversely, the posterior lingual gland was composed of secretory units of lingual glands only containing mucous cells filled with secretory granules with a variable morphology, including bipartite features characterized by an electron-lucent matrix and one or more electron-dense areas. Actual findings further supported that the quail lingual glands produce sialoglycoconjugates characterized by a heterogeneous composition. In conclusion, the cytological characteristics and the carbohydrate composition of quail lingual glands suggest that, analogously to mammal salivary glands, avian lingual glands could also be involved in several functions that can be correlated with the occurrence of sialic acids.

Ubicación anatómica de las glándulas salivales linguales ó glandulas salivales menores presentes en la lengua / Anatomical location of lingual salivary glands or minor salivary glands present in the language

La cavidad bucal está conformada por diversas estructuras anatómicas, donde las glándulas salivales desempeñan funciones de vital importancia como son la producción y excreción de saliva. Las mismas se dividen en glándulas salivales mayores y menores. Las glándulas salivales mayores son las glándulas parótidas, las submaxilares y las sublinguales. Las glándulas salivales menores están distribuidas en diferentes localizaciones anatómicas de la mucosa bucal. Ellas son: las glándulas labiales, palatinas, genianas y linguales. Éstas últimas a su vez están conformadas por las glándulas de Blandin y Nühn, Weber y Von Ebner. El objetivo de este trabajo es destacar la importancia de estas glándulas en cuanto a su ubicación anatómica, inervación é irrigación

The oral cavity is formed by different anatomic structures; in wich the salivary glands have important vital functions such as production and excretion of saliva. These glands are divided in two groups: mayor salivary glands and minor salivary glands. The mayor salivary glands are the parotid, submaxilar and sublingual glands. The minor salivary glands are distributed in different anatomic locations in the oral cavity. These glands are: the labial glands, the palatine glands, the genians glands and the lingual glands. These lingual glands are also formed by the Blandin and Nuhn glands, the Weber glands and the Von Ebner glands. The objective of this work is to determine the importance of these glands in matter of their anatomic location, inervation and irrigation

Oral glands in dipsadine "goo-eater" snakes: morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands in Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica, and Sibynomorphus mikanii.

Although snake infralabial glands are generally constituted of mucous cells, among dipsadines, they are much more developed and predominantly serous in nature, possibly due to the peculiar feeding habits of some species of this group, the "goo-eaters", which feed on soft and viscous invertebrates. We compared the morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands of three goo-eater species of Southeast Brazil, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica and Sibynomorphus mikanii. In A. reticulatus the glands are formed by mixed acini composed of mucous and seromucous cells and in D. indica, they are composed of mucous tubules and seromucous acini. In S. mikanii the glands are organized in seromucous acini; mucous cells are restricted to the gland anterior region and to the duct lining epithelium. Ultrastructurally, secretory granule electron density varies from low to moderate, depending on their mucous or seromucous nature. The results indicate a large morphological and histochemical variation in the infralabial glands, probably reflecting differences in the secretion chemical composition and in feeding specialization among the three species. The protein content in the secretory cells can be related with the presence of toxins that can be used in chemical prey immobilization or detaching of snails from their shells.

Minor salivary glands morphology in xerostomia patients / Morfología de las Glándulas Salivales Menores en Pacientes Xerostomizados

Las glándulas salivales menores son encontradas distribuidas a través de la mucosa oral, especialmente en los labios y en la mucosa del paladar blando. Varios factores pueden causar xerostomía, donde las características histológicas de las glándulas salivales son también consideradas como factores para definir la etiología. Así, las biopsias de las glándulas salivales menores representan una herramienta fundamental para alcanzar los criterios diagnósticos requeridos en la clasificación de pacientes con síndrome de Sjõgren, ya que no representa riesgo para los pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar las características histológicas de las glándulas mencionadas, obtenidas de biopsias de pacientes con xerostomía y clasificar los aspectos histológicos de las glándulas en el síndrome de Sjõgren. Estudiamos 40 láminas de pacientes con xerostomía, cuyas glándulas salivales menores fueron sometidas a biopsia en el Servicio de Estomatología de la Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brasil. Se observaron las variaciones de su aspecto histológico, desde la normalidad hasta la presencia de focos inflamatorios, los cambios del tejido conjuntivo entre los acinos y conductos, como también el parénquima. En 15 casos, el infltrado de células inflamatorias invadió el foco, es decir, grupos de al menos 50 células inflamatorias alrededor de acinos o conductos, lo cual es un aspecto característico del síndrome de Sjõgren. Por lo tanto, el hallazgo de al menos un foco inflamatorio de 4 mm2 de tejido glandular, representa un buen criterio, aunque no es uno de los criterios a considerar cuando se trata de clasificar a los pacientes con el Síndrome de Sjõgren.

The minor salivary glands are found scattered throughout the oral mucosa, especially in the lips and soft palate mucosa. Several factors can cause xerostomia, whereas the salivary glands histological characteristics are also considered as factors for defining the etiology. Thus, the minor salivary glands biopsy represents an essential tool for attending the required diagnosis criterion in the classification of Sjögren's Syndrome patients, since it does not present risk for the patient. The objective of this study is to determine the histological description of the minor salivary glands obtained from the biopsies of xerostomia patients and to classify the minor salivary gland histological aspect as the Sjögren's Syndrome. Forty laminas of xerostomia patients that were submitted to minor salivary glands biopsy at the Santa Casa de Sao Paulo Stomatology ambulatory were retrospectively studied. The variation in the glands histological aspect was observed, from the normality up to the presence of inflammatory focus, replacing the conjunctive between acini and ducts, as well as the parenchyma. In 15 cases, the infiltrated inflammatory cells amounted to focus, that is to say, groups of at least 50 inflammatory cells around the acini or ducts, which is a characteristic aspect of the Sjögren's Syndrome. Therefore, the finding of at least one inflammatory focus of 4 mm2 of glandular tissue represents a set criterion, although, not the only one in order to classify this patient as having the Sjögren's Syndrome.

Glándulas linguales de Blandin y Nuhn; estudio histoquímico de los glicoconjugados de las células serosas y mucosas / Blandin and Nuhn lingual glands; an histochemical study of serous and mucous sugars

Se emplearon las técnicas histoquímicas convencionales para mucinas (PAS, Alcian blue y Azul de toluidina) y la técnica de avidina-biotina para estudiar la unión de las lectinas PNA, UEA-1, RCA-1, ConA, DBA, SBA y WGA a los azúcares específicos en cortes histológicos de glándulas inguales anteriores de Blandin y Nuhn. Las células secretoras mucosas y serosas exhibieron diferentes grados de coloración dependiendo de la lectina y el tipo celular. Estos resultados proveen las bases para la comparación de posibles cambios en las enfermedades de las glándulas salivales menores

Glándulas linguales de Blandin y Nuhn; estudio histoquímico de los glicoconjugados de las células serosas y mucosas / Blandin and Nuhn lingual glands; an histochemical study of serous and mucous sugars

Se emplearon las técnicas histoquímicas convencionales para mucinas (PAS, Alcian blue y Azul de toluidina) y la técnica de avidina-biotina para estudiar la unión de las lectinas PNA, UEA-1, RCA-1, ConA, DBA, SBA y WGA a los azúcares específicos en cortes histológicos de glándulas inguales anteriores de Blandin y Nuhn. Las células secretoras mucosas y serosas exhibieron diferentes grados de coloración dependiendo de la lectina y el tipo celular. Estos resultados proveen las bases para la comparación de posibles cambios en las enfermedades de las glándulas salivales menores (AU)

A simple, yet accurate method for detecting and quantifying secretions from human minor salivary glands using the iodine-starch reaction.

The lack of published information about the minor salivary glands is due in part to the difficulties experienced in collecting and quantifying their secretions. In fact, no method exists for measuring their secretions that is both simple and accurate. This investigation examined the accuracy of our newly developed method (which simply employs the iodine-starch reaction) in 10 healthy non-medicated adults. A strip painted with a solution of iodine in absolute alcohol then with a fine starch powder mixed with castor oil was placed at a designated location on the lower-lip mucosa for 2 min to collect saliva. Black-stained spots of various sizes corresponding to the individual glands could be accurately visualized. After removal of the strip, the total stained area (mm2) was calculated by digitizing the spot areas using a computer system. The correlation coefficient (r) between known volumes of saliva and stain size was 0.995, indicating a close correlation. The correlation coefficient (r) between area values obtained in the first trial in each subject (Y) and the second (X; 10 min later) was 0.963, and the simple regression equation was close to Y=X, indicating good reproducibility. The mean flow rate microl/cm2 per min) obtained by converting mean total area to volume and thence to flow rate was 0.49+/-0.26, in good agreement with published values obtained by others. These results suggest that our newly developed method allows both the distribution and secretion rate of the minor salivary glands to be observed, and that it should be of practical value due to its simplicity, accuracy, and reproducibility.

Minor salivary gland secretion in children and adults.

The minor salivary glands are of great importance in the physiology and pathology of the oral cavity. So far, studies of the minor glands have concentrated on adults. In the present study, minor salivary gland secretion was studied in the buccal and labial mucosa of 3-year-old children, adolescents and young adults. In addition, the number of glands per surface area was assessed in the labial mucosa. A total of 90 individuals were included, 30 in each age-group. Saliva was collected on filter paper discs and the salivary secretion rate was measured using a Periotron 8000. The number of secreting labial glands was assessed on PAS-stained filter paper discs under a microscope. Salivary secretion in the buccal mucosa was found to be age-related, with a statistically significant lower rate of secretion (P=0.003) in the 3-year-olds (mean 7.7 microl x cm(-2) x min(-1)) compared with the young adults (11.9 microl x cm(-2) x min(-1)). No significant differences between the sexes were noted. For the labial glands, no age- or sex-related differences were found. In all age-groups, salivary secretion was significantly higher in the buccal than in the labial mucosal area. A statistically significant difference in number of secreting glands was found between all age-groups, with a decreasing number of glands per surface unit with age. The number of glands was significantly lower in males compared with females in the group of adults. The lower rate of buccal salivary secretion in the young children may imply that the oral mucosa is more vulnerable to external injury and that caries protection on the buccal molar surfaces is lower. Previous studies indicate that adults with a reduced rate of minor salivary gland secretion are more susceptible to caries.

The superficial mandibular gland of the rabbit: a new experimental model for scintigraphic evaluation of salivary glands.

The aim of this study was to provide an appropriate experimental model to study functional changes in salivary glands using scintigraphy. Although the rabbit was frequently used for laboratory experiments, there are only a few studies that describe the exact position of its different salivary glands on the sialoscintigram. Twenty rabbits were used for the study; ten of them were anatomically dissected to provide the required topographic anatomy on the different salivary and lacrimal glands. The remaining ten animals underwent a static scintigraphy after extirpation of a particular salivary gland. Changes in the pattern of tracer uptake indicated the exact position of every gland allowing its evaluation. The results show that the 99mTcO4- uptake can only be selectively evaluated in two salivary glands, the superficial mandibular gland and the parotid gland. The superficial mandibular gland was proved to be a particularly useful model to evaluate functional changes of salivary gland parenchyma due to its well defined and high enhanced structure which allows a precise detection and measurement of the tracer uptake. Additionally, the good surgical accessibility of this gland and the existence of a well defined capsule facilitate associated histological studies of its parenchyma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor in minor salivary glands: effect of ageing.

Morphological and physiological age changes are described in human salivary glands. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is neoangiogenic growth factor found in normal salivary glands. Considering the neoangiogenic properties of VEGF and its important function in inflammation, repair and, probably, in oral mucosa homeostasis, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ageing on the immunolocalization of VEGF in minor salivary glands. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks containing normal labial salivary glands were retrieved and classified according to the patients' age in two groups (< 20 and > 40-year-old). The biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase system was used to detect the VEGF antigen. The results demonstrated that the mean level of VEGF immunoreaction in the young group was not statistically different from the old group when compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test (P = 0.54). This may indicate that although salivary flow reduction may develop in old patients, some properties of the salivary glands may not be affected.

Lipolytic and esterolytic activities in posterior lingual glands of rat: a histochemical study.

Catalytic activities of lingual lipase were investigated by enzyme histochemistry in post-mortem tongues from male rats. Sections of fresh-frozen or formalin-calcium fixed tissue were incubated with naphthol-AS-nonanoate and alpha-naphthyl acetate substrate mixtures. The effects of pH level, sodium taurocholate activator and E600 inhibitor were also examined. The use of cryostat sections of tissues fixed in formalin-calcium and of nonanoate substrate within the range of pH 4.4-6.4, were optimal for localizing maximum reaction product, captured by Fast Blue BB, in acini and demilunes of the posterior deep and superficial lingual glands respectively. The reaction product corresponded with the distribution of secretory granules and failed to develop when taurocholate was omitted from the incubation medium. Similarly localized E600-resistant reaction product occurred with the acetate substrate and hexazotized New Fuchsin at pH 7.4, in the absence of taurocholate. Lipase and conventional esterase activities appear to be superimposed in posterior lingual glands of rat. The ability of their acini and demilunes to hydrolyse nonanoate substrate at an acidic pH optimum, when activated by sodium taurocholate, seems attributable to lipase destined for secretion into saliva--hence convenient for routine histochemical identification of the enzyme.

Distribution of minor salivary glands in the peritonsillar space.

Minor salivary glands can usually be found along the mucous membrane of the upper aerodigestive tract. Their presence in the peritonsillar space was of little interest until it was postulated that infection of Weber's gland (minor salivary gland at the superior pole of the peritonsillar space) might be the possible cause of peritonsillar abscess. This study was designed to examine the distribution of minor salivary glands in the peritonsillar space and their role in pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess. Tonsillectomy specimens from fifty-five patients who were suffering from repeated tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, tonsillar mass and peritonsillar abscess at Srinagarind Hospital from September 1995 to November 1996 were histologically examined. The locations of these minor salivary glands were found at the upper, middle, and lower portions of the peritonsillar space. This small sample study precludes any definitive statement regarding the association of Weber's gland and the pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess.