Freeze-Fracture Surface of Salivary Glands of Rat Observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

The structure of parenchymal components of rat submandibular glands observed with scanning electron microscopy is presented. The glands were fixed, submerged in liquid nitrogen, cryofractured, dehydrated and critical-point-dried. The fracture surface displayed the acini, granular ducts and striated ducts. Acini exhibit a typical sponge-like pattern of irregular and empty cavities. Granular ducts are lined by bulging cells laden with numerous secretory granules. Their diameter ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 microns, with a mean value of 1.240.4 microns. Measurement of the actual granules was rendered possible by direct observation. Striated ducts exhibited a cribiform pattern near the basal cell region which corresponds to infoldings of the basal cell membrane.