Scanning electron microscopic observations of the Harderian gland in rat.

Abstract

The luminal, fractured, and basal surfaces of the duct and acini in the rat Harderian gland were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The acinar endpiece is alveolar in shape and bifurcated, and the duct is also bifurcated. Therefore, the rat Harderian gland may be morphologically classified as a compound alveolar gland. Myoepithelial cells consisting of elongated cell bodies and long, bifurcating processes grasp the acinus in the form of a dilicate network. In the fractured surface, the glandular cells of the acinus are columnar in shape. A round nucleus is situated in the basal portion of the cytoplasm and a large number of secretory vacuoles are observed throughout the cytoplasm. The luminal surface of the glandular cell presents a bulged appernce, polygonal in shape, with short, randomly distributed microvilli. Domed protrusions and round pits are observed on the glandular surface. The excretory duct appears as a main trunk with numerous short branches. In the fractured surface, the excretory duct consisted of stratified coumnar or cuboidal cells. The luminal surface of the duct epithelial cell appears flat, polygonal in shape, and is provided with short microvilli rondomly distributed over the body of the cell.