160 



JOHN SUNDWALL 



The basement membrane proper has been described by Zimmer- 

 mann and Fleischer in the lachrymal gland. 



According to my observations, the final ramification of the 

 supporting tissue is in the form of a reticulum enclosing within 

 its meshes the acini, intercalary and intralobular ducts, and 

 vessels. This reticulum forms the membranae propriae of the 

 acini or tubules and consists of a dehcate network of interlacing 

 fibrils which intimately surround the epithehal cells of the acini 

 and small ducts. From this basement membrane secondary 



Fig. 4a Reticulum, Tech. Ill, 2, 3, Oc. 6, obj. 8, X 300. Parenchymatous 

 and other tissue digested away in pancreatin. Reticulum is readily seen showing 

 the outlines of the original tubules. 



Fig. 4b Reticulum, Oc. 2, obj. 2 nun. oil, X770. Portionin figure 4a enclosed 

 within the circle is shown here enlarged. 



fibres apparently take origin and pass radially into the acini 

 between the individual gland cells. Others may appear to enter 

 the base of the cell, thus simulating Holmgren's Trophospongium. 

 However, in reality this probably does not occur. 



The basement membrane and its relation to the tubules, as 

 described, can readily be seen in sections stained by Mallory's 

 method, whereby it is stained dark blue. As a rule it is closely 

 apposed to the epithelium, and the interepithelial processes are 

 seen with ease. In Van Gieson's stain it is red. This network 



