| Serous demilune | |
|---|---|
| Section of submaxillary gland of kitten. Duct semidiagrammatic. (Demilune labeled at center bottom.) | |
| Gray's | subject #242 1136 |
| Code | TH H2.00.02.0.03062 |
A serous demilune is a cap in the shape of a half-moon (hence the name "demilune") on some salivary glands.
Serous demilunes are the serous cells at the distal end of mucous tubuloalveolar secretory unit of certain salivary glands (submandibular and sublingual). These demilune cells secrete the proteins that contain the enzyme lysozyme, which degrades the cell walls of bacteria. In this way, lysozyme confers antimicrobial activity to mucus.
The serous demilune is an artifact from traditional methods of preparing samples. Samples are traditionally preserved and fixed in formaldehyde. When samples were preserved by quick-freezing in liquid nitrogen and then fixed with osmium tetraoxide in acetone, no demilunes are found. Examination showed that the serous cells and mucosal cells were aligned in the acinus. The traditional preparation caused mucous cells to swell during fixation which results in the serous cells being popped out of their alignment. After sectioning the serous cells resembled the common demilune shape, and were so named.[1]
When the gland has this demilunar structure, it produces both serous and mucous secretions, and is thus classified as "mixed".
Please make the following correction: 1.It is the mucous cells which swell after fixation in formaldehyde.
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