Question

This glandular tissue resembles that of the salivary gland (clusters of zymogenic cells). What feature unique to the pancreas would help you to distinguish it from the salivary gland?

Answer 1

Answer:

Seen on the explanation.

Explanation:

Glandular tissues are a mixture of both endocrine (ductless, hormones are secreted directly into the blood) and exocrine (have ducts, hormones are secreted into surfaces) glands.

The pancreas and salivary glands are both exocrine glands although the pancreas has an endocrine function via the islets of Langerhans, both aid in the digestion of food.

The pancreas lacks striated ducts and the intralobular duct is similar to the intercalated duct of salivary glands. It often has a collapsed lumens and the cells are cuboidal with little cytoplasmic staining in contrast to acinar cells.

The pancreas can also be distinguished from the parotid gland by the presence of the pancreatic islet (islets of langerharns) which has an endocrine function.