Acinus
Illustrated section of pancreas of dog. X 250. (Alveolus labeled at center top.)
Centroacinar cells

An acinus (adjective: acinar, plural acini) refers to any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed "berry," such as a raspberry (acinus is Latin for berry). The berry-shaped termination of an exocrine gland, where the secretion is produced is acinar in form, as is the alveolar sac containing multiple alveoli in the lungs.

Contents 1 Exocrine glands 2 The Lungs 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Exocrine glands

Acinar exocrine glands are found in many organs, including:

• the stomach^[1]
• the sebaceous gland of the scalp
• the salivary glands of the tongue^[2]
• the liver
• the lacrimal glands
• the mammary glands
• the pancreas ^[3]
• the bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands

The thyroid follicles can also be considered of acinar formation but in this case the follicles, being part of an endocrine gland, act as a hormonal deposit rather than to facilitate secretion.
Mucous acini usually stain pale, while serous acini usually stain dark.
The term "acinus" is considered synonymous with alveolus by some sources, but not all.

[edit] The Lungs

The respiratory bronchioles in the lungs terminate in acini, many-lobed sacs containing groupings of alveoli.

[edit] See also

• Intercalated duct

[edit] References

1. ^ Histology at OU 51_07 - pyloric stomach
2. ^ Histology at OU 46_03 - sublingual gland
3. ^ Histology at BU 10405loa

[edit] External links

• acinus at eMedicine Dictionary

v • d • e Glands (Endocrine, Exocrine) Classification Mechanism Merocrine · Apocrine · Holocrine Shape Tubular gland · Alveolar gland Secretion Serous glands · Mucous glands · Serous demilune Ducts Interlobar duct · Interlobular duct · Intralobular duct (Striated duct, Intercalated duct) · Acinus/Lobe

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