Alveolar gland | |
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Identifiers | |
TH | H2.00.02.0.03028 |
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 | |
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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 |