Alveolar glands, also called saccular glands, are glands with a saclike secretory portion, in contrast with tubular glands. They typically have an enlarged lumen (cavity), hence the name: they have a shape similar to alveoli, the very small air sacs in the lungs.
Some sources draw a clear distinction between acinar and alveolar glands, based upon the size of the lumen.Classification of Exocrine Glands A further complication in the case of the alveolar glands may occur in the form of still smaller saccular diverticuli growing out from the main sacculi.
The term "racemose gland"Racemose+gland at eMedicine Dictionary is used to describe a "compound alveolar gland" or "compound acinar gland."SIU SOM Histology GI
Branched alveolar glands are classified as follows:
Type Description Location simple branched acinar thyroid glands tubuloalveolaror tubulo-alveolaror tubulo-acinaror compound tubulo-acinaror compound tubuloalveolar glands that start out as simple branched tubular, and branch further to terminate in alveoli salivary glands, "Compound Tubulo- Alveolar"esophagusmammary glands
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See also Acinus
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