A CYTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE ANTERIOR SUBMAXILLARY GLANDS OF THE FOWL, GALLUS DOMESTICUS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A cytological study was made of the anterior submaxillary gland of the domestic chicken at 1 day, 4 days, and 10 months of age. This gland is one of a number of aggregates distributed throughout the mouth and along the oesophagus. It is a compound tubular gland, whose ducts open in several places under the tongue. The glandular epithelium is a single layer of tall prismatic mucous cells. There are no serous cells. Most of the cells are loaded with mucus and the nuclei are flattened at the bases of the cells. The cells present various stages of secretory activity. No mitotic figures were seen. Tests for alkaline phosphatase were negative, but there was strong acid phosphatase activity. Lipase activity was slight but present. The Golgi material is composed of rods and granules lying between the nucleus and the lumen of the gland.