Summary
Myoepithelial cells in the human submaxillary gland are stellate in form, with long, tapering processes. They are interposed between the base of the secretory cells and the basement membrane, and are bound to the secretory cells by desmosomes. Their cytoplasm contains numerous myofilaments measuring approximately 40 Å in diameter, which frequently aggregate to form structures similar to the dark bodies seen in smooth muscle cells. The myofilaments are anchored to the plasma membrane by attachment devices. The myoepithelial cells are often accompanied by cells which have a similar shape, but possess an extremely electron-lucent cytoplasm that contains almost no organelles or inclusions. Electron microscopical observations indicate that these cells, termed clear cells, are transformed directly into myoepithelium, since all morphological intergrades between the two cell types have been recognized.
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This work was supported in part by a grant from the Henry Spenadel Trust. The technical assistance of Mr. Roy R. Keppie and Mrs. Mona Brandreth is gratefully acknowledged.
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Tandler, B. Ultrastructure of the human submaxillary gland. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 68, 852–863 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343936
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343936