ABSTRACT
The acinus is the secretory unit for digestive enzymes. The glandular or acinar cells of the pancreas form the major part of the lining of the acini and are the most abundant cells within the exocrine lobule (Fig. 2.1). 1,2 The acinar cells are pyramidal in shape and contain prominent endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus and zymogen granules which correspond to their main function of digestive enzyme secretion. These cells are interspersed with epithelial cells which are cuboidal or flat and are termed centroacinar cells. The epithelial cell lined ductules drain the acini and coalesce to form intralobular and interlobular ducts. The epithelial cells lining the centroacinar and interlobular ducts are flat and have interdigitating lateral basement membranes. This structure corresponds to their function of fluid and ion transport including the secretion of bicarbonate. The
Figure 2.1 Schematic representation of exocrine microanatomy of the pancreas.
