The arteries of the lacrimal gland

Summary The vascularization of 70 lacrimal glands was studied by orbital dissection subsequent to injection of the arterial bed with red-dyed latex. The origin, diameter and collateral branches of the lacrimal artery and its anatomical relations were investigated. Three types of lacrimal vascularization were seen. In the type I variety, the lacrimal artery originates from the ophthalmic artery and runs along the margin of the rectus lateralis muscle. In this case, the lacrimal artery is a major source of vascular supply to the muscle. In the type II variety, the lacrimal artery originates from the middle meningeal artery. In this case, the lacrimal artery is only a very modest source of vascular supply to the muscle. The type III variety features two lacrimal arteries vascularizing the lacrimal gland. One of the arteries originates from the ophthalmic, while the other arises from the middle meningeal. In this case, the lacrimal gland is the site of an intraorbital anastomosis between the internal and external carotid systems. The lacrimal gland is innervated by the lacrimal nerve and the lacrimal rami of the maxillary nerve. Preliminary results regarding certain morphological features of the lacrimal nerve are reported in this paper.

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Les artères de la glande lacrymale

Résumé La vascularisation artérielle de 70 glandes lacrymales a été étudiée par dissection orbitaire, après injection du lit artériel par du latex coloré en rouge. L'origine, le calibre, les branches collatérales de l'artère lacrymale ainsi que ses rapports ont été notés. Les auteurs décrivent 3 types de vascularisation: Type I: l'artère lacrymale nait de l'artère ophtalmique, longe le bord supérieur du muscle droit latéral, dont elle assure en grande partie la vascularisation; Type II: l'artère lacrymale provient de l'artère méningée moyenne. Dans ce cas, elle ne participe que très modérément à la vascularisation musculaire. Type III: deux artères lacrymales assurent simultanément l'apport artériel glandulaire; l'une nait de l'artère ophtalmique et l'autre de l'artère méningée moyenne. La glande est alors le siège d'une anastomose intra-orbitaire entre les deux systèmes carotidiens interne et externe. L'innervation lacrymale est assurée par le nerf lacrymal et par des rameaux lacrymaux issus du nerf maxillaire. Quelques aspects morphologiques du nerf lacrymal sont rapportés, à titre préliminaire.

     

A case of primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland: histopathological and immunohistochemical study

We encountered primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland in a 67-year-old Japanese man. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland have been reported in the literature. The patient was admitted because of visual disturbance, and a mass measuring about 3 cm in diameter was revealed in the right orbit. The mass was resected, and primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland was diagnosed histopathologically. He died from recurrence at the primary site and metastasis to the brain, lungs, liver, common bile duct, and pancreas 2 years and 10 months after surgery although adjunctive orbital radiotherapy was given. Immunohistochemically, the characteristics of cancer cells were similar to those of salivary duct carcinoma, namely positivity for cytokeratin (CK) 7, 10, 17, 18, 19, and 34betaE12, and negativity for CK20. It was not clear whether the ductal adenocarcinoma originated from the ductal or acinar epithelium of the lacrimal gland, because the immunohistochemical features of both epithelia were identical.     

Development of the rat sublingual gland: A light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study

Cell differentiation in the rat sublingual gland occurs rapidly and is largely complete by birth. To study differentiation of the serous and mucous cells of the sublingual gland, we used antibodies to the secretory proteins CSP‐1, SMGB, PSP, and SMGD, and sublingual mucin as specific cell markers. Glands from rats at ages 18, 19, and 20 days in utero, and postnatal days 0, 1, 5, 9, 14, 18, 25, 40, and 60 were fixed and prepared for morphological analysis and immunocytochemical labeling. At age 18 days in utero, a few cells in the developing terminal bulbs contained mucous‐like apical granules that labeled with anti‐mucin. Other cells had mixed granules with a peripheral lucent region and a dense core of variable size that occasionally labeled with anti‐SMGD. Additionally, presumptive serous cells with small dense granules that contained CSP‐1 and SMGB were present. At age 19 days in utero, the dense granules of these cells also labeled with anti‐SMGD. By age 20 days in utero, mucous cells were filled with large, pale granules that labeled with anti‐mucin, and serous cells had numerous dense granules containing CSP‐1, SMGB, PSP, and SMGD. Fewer cells with mixed granules were seen, but dense regions present in some mucous granules (MGs) labeled with anti‐SMGD. After birth, fewer MGs had dense regions, and serous cells were organized into well‐formed demilunes. Except for PSP, which was undetectable after the fifth postnatal day, the pattern of immunoreactivity observed in glands of neonatal and adult animals was similar to that seen by age 20 days in utero. These results suggest that mucous and serous cells have separate developmental origins, mucous cells differentiate earlier than serous cells, and cells with mixed granules may become mucous cells. Anat Rec 266:30–42, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Extracellular free calcium and fluid secretion by the rabbit lacrimal gland in vivo

A possible role of extracellular free Ca²⁺ in methacholine-induced fluid secretion in the in vivo rabbit lacrimal gland has been investigated. Lowering the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration by either intra-arterial injection or infusion of EGTA at doses which caused no systemic effects produced a dose related and reversible inhibition of methacholine-induced secretion. The inhibitory effect of EGTA was diminished when EGTA chelated with CaCl₂ in varying concentration ratios was administered. On the other hand, intra-arterial injection of CaCl₂ potentiated fluid secretion stimulated by submaximal doses of methacholine. These results suggest that fluid secretion from the rabbit lacrimal gland is dependent on the extracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration.     

人泪腺上皮细胞的体外培养及鉴定

目的　探讨人泪腺上皮细胞原代体外培养、鉴定、冻存和复苏的方法。方法　应用组织块培养法和混合消化液培养法对健康猝死成年人泪腺上皮细胞进行体外原代培养 ,应用免疫组织化学染色方法对培养有第 2代上皮细胞进行Pan keratin蛋白染色 ,以进行鉴定 ,取第 2、4代细胞进行冻存 ,1个月后取出复苏。结果　组织块培养法和混合消化液培养法均可获得较纯的泪腺上皮细胞 ,以组织块培养法接种的细胞早期生长较快 ,但第一代以后两种方法所获得的细胞生长无明显差别。两种方法所获取的泪腺上皮均为贴壁生长 ,未能形成生理状态下泪腺的囊腔结构 ,亦未见分泌小泡的形成。培养的泪腺上皮免疫组化染色Pan keratin蛋白染色阳性。经冻存和复苏 ,细胞保持良好活性。结论　组织块培养法和混合消化液培养法均可获得较纯的泪腺上皮细胞 ,但不能保持其泪腺束腔结构     

Hamartoma of the parotid gland: A case report with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

Summary A case of a solid parotid tumour in a 16-year-old boy is presented. Histologically, the tumour demonstrated some peculiar findings. An acinar pattern was predominant although every component seen in the normal salivary gland was present, namely, serous and mucous gland acini, ducts, myoepithelial cells, adipose and lymphoid tissue. Large eosinophilic granules were abundant in the large acinar cell cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumour demonstrated the proteins which are present in the normal parotid gland, for example, amylase, lactoferrin and lysozyme. Electron microscopic features were quite similar to those of normal parotid tissue except for accumulation of a large number of cytoplasmic granules in the acinar cells. There has been no previous report of a tumour with the same features as seen in this case. Our pathological diagnosis is hamartoma, although the possibility of hyperplasia or neoplasia can not be excluded.     

Lacrimal gland lymphoma: A cytomorphologic and immunophenotypic study

The cytomorphology of lacrimal gland lymphoma has not been specifically described. Herein we present six cases of histologically proven lacrimal gland lymphoma which we analyzed using fine-needle aspiration cytology, cell suspension immunophenotype analysis, and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement studies. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed atypical populations of cells comprised of either monomorphic small round lymphocytes with or without plasmacytoid features (4 cases), a mixed population of small and large irregular lymphocytes (1 case), or a population of large irregular lymphocytes (1 case). the initial cytologic diagnosis was malignant lymphoma in all six cases. Cell suspension immunophenotype analysis demonstrated that the lesions were composed predominantly of B-cells that expressed monotypic surface immunoglobulin. Three cases demonstrated an immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. the atypical cytologic features and the abnormal immunophenotype were consistently predictive of malignant lymphoma. Given that these lesions are small and biopsy material is often limited, fine-needle aspiration offers the advantage of providing tissue that is ideal for cytologic and cell suspension immunophenotype evaluation, obviating the need to provide surgical biopsy material for this purpose. We conclude that fine-needle aspiration can identify malignant lymphoid lesions of the lacrimal gland and may serve as a valuable adjunct in the assessment of these lesions. Additional study is warranted to determine whether fine-needle aspiration can reliably distinguish between benign and malignant lymphoid proliferations of the lacrimal gland. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Development of the rat sublingual gland: a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study.

Cell differentiation in the rat sublingual gland occurs rapidly and is largely complete by birth. To study differentiation of the serous and mucous cells of the sublingual gland, we used antibodies to the secretory proteins CSP-1, SMGB, PSP, and SMGD, and sublingual mucin as specific cell markers. Glands from rats at ages 18, 19, and 20 days in utero, and postnatal days 0, 1, 5, 9, 14, 18, 25, 40, and 60 were fixed and prepared for morphological analysis and immunocytochemical labeling. At age 18 days in utero, a few cells in the developing terminal bulbs contained mucous-like apical granules that labeled with anti-mucin. Other cells had mixed granules with a peripheral lucent region and a dense core of variable size that occasionally labeled with anti-SMGD. Additionally, presumptive serous cells with small dense granules that contained CSP-1 and SMGB were present. At age 19 days in utero, the dense granules of these cells also labeled with anti-SMGD. By age 20 days in utero, mucous cells were filled with large, pale granules that labeled with anti-mucin, and serous cells had numerous dense granules containing CSP-1, SMGB, PSP, and SMGD. Fewer cells with mixed granules were seen, but dense regions present in some mucous granules (MGs) labeled with anti-SMGD. After birth, fewer MGs had dense regions, and serous cells were organized into well-formed demilunes. Except for PSP, which was undetectable after the fifth postnatal day, the pattern of immunoreactivity observed in glands of neonatal and adult animals was similar to that seen by age 20 days in utero. These results suggest that mucous and serous cells have separate developmental origins, mucous cells differentiate earlier than serous cells, and cells with mixed granules may become mucous cells.     

Regeneration of rat submandibular gland following partial extirpation. A light and electron microscopic study

A wedge of parenchymal tissue was excised from the left submandibular gland of six week old male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomly grouped by body weight and killed at intervals of one day to five weeks following the operation. Tissue from and adjacent to the site of injury was removed and prepared for routine light and electron microscopy. Light microscopic findings consisted of degeneration and necrosis of the parenchymal tissue during the first 24 hours, followed by hyperemia and endothelial as well as epithelial proliferation from one to three days. Extensive epithelial proliferation occurred during the next two weeks, followed by regeneration of new lobules, beginning at the periphery of the injured lobes. Ultrastructurally, the new parenchymal tissue appeared to have regenerated from residual duct cells. Dedifferentiated epithelial cells gave rise to two different cell lines: one line which transformed into terminal tubules and acinar cells, and another which became striated ducts. These differentiating cells were organizing into lobules as early as three weeks after the operation. Because of their proximity to cells of regenerating striated ducts as well as intercalated ducts and acini, the myoepithelial cells appeared to be of epithelial origin.     

The localisation of urocortin in the adult rat cerebellum: a light and electron microscopic study

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry was used to identify the cellular and subcellular localisation of urocortin in the adult rat cerebellum. Urocortin immunoreactivity (UCN-ir) was visualised throughout the cerebellum, yet predominated in the posterior vermal lobules, especially lobules IX and X, the flocculus, paraflocculus and deep cerebellar nuclei. Cortical immunoreactivity was most evident in the Purkinje cell layer and molecular layer. Reaction product, though sparse, was found in the somata of Purkinje cells, primarily in the region of the Golgi apparatus. Purkinje cell dendritic UCN-ir was compartmentalised, with it being prevalent in proximal regions especially where climbing fibres synapsed, yet absent in distal regions where parallel fibres synapsed. In the Purkinje cell layer, the labelling was also contained in axonal terminals, synapsing directly on Purkinje cell somata. These were identified as axon terminals of basket cells based on their morphology. Terminals of stellate cells in the upper molecular layer also expressed the peptide. Whilst somata of inferior olivary neurones showed intense immunoreactivity, axonal labelling was indistinct, with only the terminals of climbing fibres containing reaction product. UCN-ir in the mossy fibre-parallel fibre system was restricted to mossy fibre rosettes of mainly posterior lobules and the varicose terminals of parallel fibres. Furthermore, labelling also was prevalent in glial perikarya and their sheaths.The current study shows, firstly, that urocortin enjoys a close ligand-receptor symmetry in the cerebellum, probably to a greater degree than corticotropin-releasing factor since corticotropin-releasing factor itself is found exclusively in the two major cerebellar afferent systems. Its congregation in excitatory and inhibitory axonal terminals suggests a significant degree of participation in the synaptic milieu, perhaps in the capacity as a neurotransmitter or effecting the release of co-localised neurotransmitters. Finally, its unique distribution in the Purkinje cell dendrite might serve as an anatomical marker of discrete populations of dendritic spines.     

Phagocytosis in the light-damaged albino rat eye: Light and electron microscopic study

Retinal photoreceptor degeneration was induced by exposing albino rats to fluorescent illumination at elevated environmental temperatures. Fine carbon particles were injected intravenously or directly into the vitreous body or anterior chamber of the eye. The resulting pattern of invasion, migration, and egression of carbon-filled phagocytes in eyes with degenerated retinas was reconstructed from a time sequence series of light and electron microscopic tissue sections. Retinal debris, such as damaged photoreceptor outer segments and carbon particles, was most frequently removed by two populations of cells possessing phagocytic properties: mononuclear cells of vascular origin and pigment epithelial cells. After retinal damage, mononuclear cells appeared first in the vitreous body and later, in time sequence, progressively deeper in the inner plexiform layer and out to the bipolar nuclear layer, where they were seen within, or partially within, retinal capillaries. After intravenous carbon injection, however, marked phagocytes were not seen in the retina. Carbon-filled phagocytic cells were observed in the choroidal connective tissue and blood vessels after intravenous injection, but not after intravitreal injections of carbon. Therefore, retinal phagocytes did not appear to leave the eye through the choroidal circulation. Pigment epithelial cells proliferated by mitotic activity, occurred as single cells separated from Bruch's membrane, and were seen among the degenerated outer segments. After direct exposure to carbon particles, pigment cell phagosomes contained both carbon and lamellated discs of degenerated outer segments. Whether these cells exited from the eye through retinal capillaries or returned to Bruch's membrane to reestablish continuity in the pigment epithelium could not be determined.     

Presence of glial cells in the rat pineal gland: a light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical study

Immunoperoxidase methods for the demonstration of three glial antigens, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S-100 protein, were applied to routine-fixed paraffin sections of rat pineal gland. A pre-embedding electron microscope immunoperoxidase method was also used to study the ultrastructural localization of S-100 protein in pineal cells. Light and electron microscopic results showed the presence of these antigenic glial markers in the second pineal cell type. The term glial cell is proposed for the second of parenchymatous cell in rat pineal gland.     

Leydig cell tumor of the testis: a case diagnosed by fine-needle sampling without aspiration with histologic, immunohistologic, and electron microscopic analysis.

Fine-needle sampling without aspiration was performed in a patient with a testicular mass. The cytologic diagnosis was consistent with Leydig cell tumor. Cytologic features included abundant grey-blue cytoplasms with spherical or oval nuclei in May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained smears. Intranuclear inclusions were observed but no Reinke's crystals were detected. Histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis and tumor cells were positive for vimentin. Electron microscopic analysis of the tumor showed abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae but no Reinke's crystals.     

The thyroid in the spontaneously hypertensive rat: A light and electron microscopic study

The present study was undertaken to seek ultrastructural changes in the thyroid gland of the spontaneously hypertensive rat which would contribute to the understanding of previously reported abnormalities in thyroid function. Light and electron microscopic observations and measurements of plasma T3 and systolic blood pressure were recorded from a colony of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The systolic blood pressure of SHR was significantly higher than that of WKY but the plasma T3 levels of the two groups did not differ significantly. After administration of propylthiouracil (PTU), serum T3 levels and systolic pressure of both groups decreased. The size of the thyroid follicles in SHR was highly variable throughout the gland, and the colloid contained unevenly dense areas and cell debris. The follicular cells contained slightly dilated rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and numerous pleomorphic bodies of uneven density. After treatment with PTU, the vessels between the follicles of SHR did not become as dilated as those in WKY but the fine structure of follicular cells in SHR was similar to that of WKY and was characteristic of the typical thyroid response to PTU administration. We suggest that the thyroid in SHR does not respond adequately to the elevated TSH levels reported to be present in these animals, although it can respond to the highly elevated TSH levels which occur with PTU administration. This impairment most probably involves defects in synthesis and/or secretion of thyroid hormones in response to TSH stimulation.     

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast: Fine-needle sampling with histologic,immunohistologic, and electron microscopic analysis

Fine-needle sampling was performed in a woman with a subareolar breast mass. The cytologic diagnosis was consistent with a benign sweat gland-type tumor. Cytologic features included epithelial cells and spindle-shaped cells lying free or in fibrillary myxoid ground substance. Histologic study revealed the biphasic appearance of this tumor composed of proliferating myoepithelial cells and glandular epithelial cells as supported by immunohistologic and electron microscopic analyses. Epithelial cells were strongly positive for cytokeratins, and spindle cells were positive for actin, S-100 protein, and keratin and showed ultrastructurally typical features of myoepithelial cells.     

Accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy processed by cytologic smear and cell block techniques for the diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors: a study of 48 cases

Objective: To study the accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) processed by smear cytology and cell block (CB) techniques for the diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors (LGTs). Study Design: In a prospective study, we enrolled 48 consecutive patients with LGTs. Immediately after excision of LGTs, the tissues were underwent FNAB with 23-gauge needles. The FNAB samples were processed to produce cytologic smears and CB from which slides were cut for immunohistochemical staining. The remainders were submitted for routine histopathologic processing. The diagnostic value of FNAB was assessed by comparing the FNAB diagnoses to those made by routine histopathology. Results: Cytopathologic evaluations based on smear cytology and CB with sections stained immunohistochemically can distinguish non-epithelial lesions from epithelial ones in all cases. The diagnostic sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions were: cytologic smears--76%, 68%, and 71%, respectively; CB with immunohistochemical staining--88%, 87%, and 88%, respectively. The accuracy of the tissue diagnosis compared to routine histopathology was less for cytologic smears (58%) than for CB with immunohistochemistry (81%; P < 0.05). Conclusions: FNAB of LGT processed using a CB technique capable of producing immunohistochemically stained slides results in a greater percentage of accurate tissue diagnoses than do cytologic smears, when compared to routine histopathology.     

Low-frequency noise effects on the rat parotid gland: A transmission electron microscopy study

Introduction: Low-frequency noise (LFN) is a ubiquitous physical stressor known to cause degenerative cellular changes and organ alterations with functional repercussions both in humans and animals. Materials and methods: After acceptance of the study protocol by a local ethics committee, 20 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was kept in silence and the other continuously exposed to LFN during 13 weeks. The rats had unlimited access to water and were fed standard rat chow. After exposure, the animals were sacrificed and the parotid glands were excised and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. Results: The acinar cells showed marked ultrastructural alterations, such as intracellular vacuolization, loss of cell polarity, increased heterochromatin, cytoplasmic inclusions, and oncocytic transformation. Conclusions: LFN induces ultrastructural changes in the rat parotid gland that correlate with previously described functional changes.     

Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex: A light and electron microscopic study

Summary Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex were examined in the light and electron microscopes using an antibody to the tetradecapeptide form of somatostatin. Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons were found to belong only to non-pyramidal classes. They are of five main types: multipolar neurons with either thin or thick dendrites; small and large bipolar neurons; bitufted neurons; horizontal neurons; and neurons in the subcortical white matter. Of the immunoreactive neurons, multipolar neurons are the most common and account for 30% of the population, while bipolar and bitufted neurons make up 25% and 15% of the immunoreactive population, respectively; the least common somatostatin immunoreactive neurons are the horizontal and subcortical white matter neurons. Occasional multipolar neurons with thick dendrites have a prominent ascending dendrite so that they resemble pyramidal cells in the light microscope, but electron microscopic examination confirms that, like all other somatostatin-positive cells, they are non-pyramidal neurons, for they have both symmetric and asymmetric synapses on their cell bodies.Somatostatin-positive neurons are distributed among all the cortical layers and the subcortical white matter but they are more common in two laminae, one coinciding with layer II/III and the other with layers V and VI. The multipolar and bipolar neurons are distributed in similar proportions in these upper and lower cortical laminae, while bitufted neurons are more common in upper laminae and horizontal neurons are predominantly located in layer VI.