Glandular Epithelia
Glandular epithelia are formed by cells specialized to produce secretion
the molecules to be secreted are generally stored in the cells in small
membrane-bound vesicles called secretory vesicles
Called secretor granules
Glands divided into:
unicellular gland
Exocrine glands
multi cellular gland
Endocrine gland two types of endocrine glands can be recognized based
on the arrangement of their cells
a. The endocrine cells may form anastomosing cords interspersed
between dilated blood capillaries e.g. Adrenal gland, parathyroid
b. The endocrine cells arrange as vesicles, follicles filled with noncellular material. E.g.: thyroid gland
Exocrine gland classified into:
Simple gland: have only one unbranched duct compound gland have
duct that branch repeatedly
Exocrine gland has
a. secretory portion
b. ducts
According to the number of cell, exocrine gland
Classified into:
1. Unicellular gland (goblet cell) : found in the living epithelium of
small intestine and respiratory tract. The cytoplasm of the goblet
cell filled with mucigen granules secreting: mucin (proteinpolysaccharide)
Structure of exocrine gland
most glands are enclosed in a fibrous capsule, the capsule often gives
off extensions called septa or trabecular that divide the gland into
compartment called lobes, B.V, N. and the gland own ducts travel
through those septa C.T of the gland called its stroma support and
organizes the tissue . The cells that perform the tasks of synthesis and secretion
called parenchyma these branches communicate with the secretory acini
According to the type of secretion
1. Mucous: secret a glycoprotein called mucin that mixes with water after it is
secreted and forms the sticky product mucus .e.g. goblet cell
2. Serous cells: the acinar cells of the pancreas and parotid salivary glands are
examples of serous cells between the nucleus and the free surface found a welldeveloped Golgi complex, several immature secretory granules derived from the
Golgi complex, nature secretory granules formed after water is removed from the
immature granules. The mature secretory granules accumulate in the apical
cytoplasm. In cells that produce digestive enzymes (e.g. Pancreatic acinar cells),
these granules are called