Based on the consistency of the secretion

BASED ON THE CONSISTENCY OF THE SECRETION

    • Serous,
    • Mucous and
    • Mixed glands.
  • Serous glands produce a whey-like serous secretion. Mucous gland produces a slightly more viscid fluid.
  • The glands that secrete mucin, glycoprotein which when mixed with water become mucous are termed as mucous glands. Any gland that produces a mixture of serous and mucous secretions is called a mixed gland.

Serous secretory unit:

  • The nucleus of a serous secretory cell is usually rounded and lies towards the base of the cell.
  • At the base of the cytoplasm contains secretory granules called zymogen granules.
  • Cytoplasm and Zymogen granules stain with eosin (acidophilic).

serous

Mucous Secretory unit:

  • The nuclei of the mucous secretory cells are flattened and located at the base of cells that contain them.
  • There is less chromoideal substance. Above the level of the nucleus the cytoplasm contains mucin droplets, which impart a vacuolated appearance to the very light staining cytoplasm, since with ordinary staining techniques mucin is dissolved.
  • Cytoplasm stains only lightly with haematoxylin.
  • Mixed glands posses both mucous and serous secretory units.

Mucous gland

Last modified: Tuesday, 8 May 2012, 5:02 AM