The fine structure of the lateral nasal gland (Steno's gland) of the rat

doi:10.1016/S0022-5320(71)80093-X

Journal of Ultrastructure Research

Volume 36, Issues 1–2, July 1971, Pages 127-148

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The lateral nasal gland of the rat has cytological features similar to those reported for major serous salivary glands. The acinar cells present a well developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, a Golgi complex, condensing vacuoles and large secretory granules. They also contain small granules which are possibly secretory and arise directly from the endoplasmic reticulum. Numerous nerve fibers penetrate the basement membrane and distribute themselves on the acinar cell base and in the intercellular space. The epithelium of the intercalated ducts is abundant in filaments and has small mitochondria. These ducts also have myoepithelial cells. The striated duct cells are rich in mitochondria and show extensive compartmentation of the infranuclear cell portion. The compartments interdigitate with similar compartments of adjacent cells. The apical cell portion contains a smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles containing spheroid bodies, filaments, microtubules and a conspicuous but incomplete apical cell web. The morphology of the gland is discussed in relation to its function.

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Lateral nasal glands, found in the dog and rodents (Fig. 3A), form a prominent group on the lateral wall ventral to the maxillary sinus and extend deeply into the connective tissue of the lateral wall (Bang and Bang, 1959; Bojsen-Møller, 1964; Evans and de Lahunta, 2013). They are histologically similar to serous salivary glands and have a well-developed duct system, which consists of intercalated and branched striated ducts (Moe and Bojsen-Møller, 1971). The ducts open within the vestibule, where their secretion contributes to the humidification of the inspired air and the maintenance of the proper viscosity of the mucous blanket produced by the goblet cells and submucosal glands (Bojsen-Møller, 1964; Moe and Bojsen-Møller, 1971).
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The fine structure of the lateral nasal gland (Steno's gland) of the rat

J. Cell Biol.

Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp.

Amer. J. Anal.

J. Immunol.

Anat. Rec.

J. Anat.

Z. Anat. Entwicklungsgesch

J. Clin. Invest.

Amer. J. Epidiol.

J. Lab. Clin. Med.

Zool. Anz.

Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat.

Nouv. Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom.

J. Anat.

Uber Entwicklung und Bau der Steno'schen Nasendrüse der Säugethiere

Inaugural-Dissertation, Dorpat.

Pflügers Arch. Ges. Physiol.