Histological Comparisons of Each Part of the GI Tract Oral Cavity Mucosa does not have muscularis mucosae.

Lining formed by stratified squamous epithelium. Keratinization occurs in hard palate, gingiva, some regions of the tongue. Submucosa is not clearly separated from the lamina propria. Contains minor salivary glands (mucous-secreting branched tubular or tubuloalveolar glands) Tongue covered with stratified squamous epithelium (often keratinized on the dorsal surface) Lingual papillae cover dorsal surface of tongue Filiform papillae highly keratinized epithelium, underlying connective tissue. Salivary Glands Three main components: secretory part, duct system, and stroma Stroma: capsule of dense connective tissue Secretory part consists of three types of acini: serous, mucous, and mixed (seromucous) Serous acini: protein-secreting serous cells. Euchromatic nucleus, centrally located nucleus. Basal part is rich in RER while apical cytoplasm is filled with numerous, small secretory granules. Pyramidal in shape (serous acini are spherical in shape). Mucous acini: mucus-secreting cells. Heterochromatic nuclei along the basal aspect of the cell; central and apical portions are filled with mucous secretory granules; mucous cells are usually columnar; mucous acini are typically tubular in shape. Mixed acini (seromucous): tubular mucous component with a serous cap (serous demilune). Myoepithelial cells are the nonsecretory cells within the acini; contractile and basal. Intralobular: ducts located within the lobule Interlobular: ducts located between lobules. Main ducts: ducts that run from the gland to the oral cavity. Intralobular: intercalated ducts (low cuboidal), striated ducts (simple columnar)

Intercalated ducts nucleus typically located near the base. Striated ducts connect intercalated ducts to interlobular ducts; contain elongated mitochondria; serve a function in ion reabsorption. Interlobular ducts (stratified columnar) Three major salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, sublingual.