Alveolar gland

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Alveolar gland
Section of pancreas of dog. X 250.
Identifiers
THH2.00.02.0.03028
Anatomical terminology

Alveolar glands, also called saccular glands, are glands with a saclike secretory portion, in contrast with tubular glands. They typically have an enlarged lumen (cavity), hence the name: they have a shape similar to alveoli, the very small air sacs in the lungs.

Some sources draw a clear distinction between acinar and alveolar glands, based upon the size of the lumen.[1] A further complication in the case of the alveolar glands may occur in the form of still smaller saccular diverticuli growing out from the main sacculi.

The term "racemose gland"[2] is used to describe a "compound alveolar gland" or "compound acinar gland."[3]

Branched alveolar glands are classified as follows:

Type Description Location
simple branched acinar
thyroid glands
tubuloalveolar
or tubulo-alveolar
or tubulo-acinar
or compound tubulo-acinar
or compound tubuloalveolar[4]
glands that start out as simple branched tubular, and branch further to terminate in alveoli salivary glands,[5]
esophagus[6]
mammary glands


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