356 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



The coarse zynwyen granules within the cell appear to he suspended 

 within the meshes of a finely granular eytoplasmic reticulum. At the 

 base or proximal end of the cell coarse elongated granules or filaments 

 of prozymogcn (ergastoplasm of Cade) may be demonstrated by the 

 stronger basic or nuclear dyes, e.g., iron hematein, toluidin blue. These 

 peculiar prozymogen granules are so disposed, parallel to the axis of 

 the cell, as to give this portion of the cytoplasm a somewhat striated 

 or rodded appearance when carefully examined after suitable staining. 



The chief cells are believed 

 to elaborate the pepsin 

 (pepsinogen) of the gas 

 trie juice. 



The Parietal Cells 

 (O.ryntic or Delomorphous 

 Cells) The parietal cells 

 - are l ar e ov id or pyra- 

 midal bodies which are 

 frequently binucleated, 

 and whose cytoplasm pos- 

 sesses a strong affinity for 

 acid dyes (eosin, Congo 

 red, etc.). Their spherical 

 nuclei contain much 

 chromatin and are cen- 

 trally situated; their cyto- 

 plasm is homogeneous or 

 finely granular. 



The shape of the oxyntic cells varies with their location. At the 

 fundus of the gland where they are separated from the lumen by the 

 chief cells they are ovoid or occasionally triangular in transection, the 

 broad base of their triangular section being applied to the basement 

 membrane, the wide-angled tip wedged between the bases of the adjacent 

 chief cells. In the mid-portion of the secreting tubule the parietal 

 cells approach nearer the lumen, and being inserted between the chief 

 cells, they acquire an increased height and a pyramidal form. At the 

 neck of the gland, where they present to the glandular lumen a broad 

 surface, the parietal cells acquire a cuboidal shape. As the gland opens 

 into its foveola the parietal cells, except for an occasional dislodged or 

 misplaced individual, abruptly cease. 



In those portions of the tubule where the parietal cells are more or 



FIG. 332. TRANSECTIONS OF THREE GLANDS OF 

 THE FUNDUS REGION OF THE HUMAN STOMACH. 



The section is taken from the portion of the 

 glands near the muscularis mucosac. The parietal 

 cells are red; the central cells, black. Hematein 

 and eosin. X 800. 



