ACINOUS GLANDS. 



155 



true gland. The tubules here present other features peculiar to 

 hem, which will be referred to under the proper head. 



FIG. 104. DIAGRAM. BRANCHED TUBULAR GLAND. 

 References same as Fig. 102. 



ACINOUS GLANDS. 



The dilatation of branching tubules, referred to under the previous 

 heading, results in the formation of acinous glands. They are formed 

 by the subdivision of a main tube or duct, with repeated branching of 

 the secondary tubules. Collections of terminal branches often result 

 in globular masses which are more or less perfectly isolated from one 

 another by connective tissue. In this way compound acini are pro- 

 duced, such as the pancreas, the salivary, mammary, and buccal 

 glands. 



The acini may be developed into alveoli as in the active mammary, 

 and in the sebaceous glands. These are usually filled with polyhedral 

 cells, or with the products of fatty degeneration of the same. 



