THE PANCREAS. 



411 



to those in the liver-lobules have been described (Fig. 176). 

 These intercellular passages are claimed by some, however, 

 to be branching processes from the cells of the basement-mem- 

 - brane. Others regard them as albuminous cement substances, 

 holding the secreting 

 corpuscles together. 



Langerhaus describes 

 . branching centro-acinal 

 cells connected on either 

 side with similar inter- 

 epithelial cells. (See Pit- 

 uitary Body.) 



The excretory duct 

 of the pancreas is com- 

 posed of a basement- 

 membrane lined with 

 cells ; at the lower por- 

 tion small mucous 

 glands open into it. The 

 basement-membrane is 

 thickened with fibrous 

 tissue at first; but, as 

 the duct divides up into 

 smaller branches, this 

 disappears. The lining 

 cells are columnar in 

 shape near the mouth of the duct ; passing back, however, 

 they grow shorter and more fiat. Finally, on reaching the 

 acini, they resemble endothelial cells, and, as such, line the 

 axial cavity of the acinus. Here they form the centro-acinal 

 cells referred to above. 



TJie blood-vessels of the pancreas are numerous, and form a 

 close capillary plexus around the basement-membrane of the 

 acini. 



The lymphatics probably arise from between the acini. 

 They pass out with the blood-vessels. 



The nerves are supplied from the solar plexus ; through 

 ,this fibres come from the vagus. They end, according to Pflu- 

 ger, in a manner similar to that of the salivary glands ; fine 

 terminal filaments pass through the basement-membrane into 

 the lining cells of the acini. Section of the vagus stops the 



FIG. 176. Glandular canals of the rabbit's pancreas, after 

 Saviotti : a, Larger excretory duct ; ft, that of an acinus ; c, 

 fiuest capillary ducts. Frey. 





