Joseph Marshall Mint 293 



the interlobular ducts and vessels is subject to considerable variation in 

 different glands, but in all instances this connective tissue is propor- 

 tionate to that penetrating into the interior of the lobules with the 

 chief ducts and vessels. In sections of the submaxillary of man the 

 connective tissue around the larger ducts and vessels appears to be of 

 the same nature as in the organs where the fibrous tissue is arranged 

 in continuous and compact masses, that is to say groups, bundles, or 

 trabeculge of fibrous tissue running in various directions are seen cut at 

 various angles. Between these fasciculi are the interfascicular spaces 

 more or less dilated according to the method of hardening. Among the 

 connective tissue fibrils Klein found branched cells, plasma cells of 

 Waldeyer, and some Mastzellen of Ehrlich. The important point is 

 that the groups or bundles are arranged into definite plates which vary 

 greatly in breadth and thickness. These Klein calls the fasicle plates, 

 each of which is composed of a number of fasciculi or bundles of con- 

 nective tissue fibrils which are continued, into the lobule in company 

 with the lobular ducts. The interlobular ducts in most glands, accord- 

 ing to Klein, are lined by a double layer of cells, the inner of which 

 are cylindrical and the outer, next to the membrana propria, conical. 

 The cytoplasm of these cells shows occasionally a tendency to fibrillation 

 similar to the striations observed by Henle and Pfiiiger in the intra- 

 lobular ducts. This observation, however, has not been repeated by 

 other investigators nor is supported by the preparations used in this 

 study. The intralobular ducts are lined by a single layer of columnar 

 cells, showing the characteristic fibrillations which are joined by short 

 lateral branchlets, and, therefore, converted into reticulum. Distinct 

 from these are the spindle-shaped or staff-shaped cells which are in 

 communication with the membrana propria and extend from this struc- 

 ture up between the epithelial cells, and in some cases, form a sort of 

 inner membrane within the lumen. Klein states that these cells are 

 particularly well marked in the parotid gland of guinea-pigs. Xo other 

 investigator, however, has described their existence nor have they been 

 found in the ducts of the human submaxillary. As the intralobular 

 ducts pass over into the intercalary portion there is a distinct shorter 

 portion which Klein calls the neck. This is characterized by the lumen 

 and the whole breadth of the salivary tube becoming here suddenly 

 smaller. In the submaxillary of the pig Klein says there is no inter- 

 calary portion, in the submaxillary of man he finds in the serous por- 

 tions a short neck passing over into a long, fine, intermediary duct, while 

 in the mucous parts the neck terminates directly in the alveoli. 



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