Age-related changes in human sublingual glands: a post mortem study.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse age- and gender-related microscopic changes in sublingual glands obtained from human cadavers.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred eighty six human sublingual glands were obtained from 93 autopsies. Approximately five individuals of each gender per decade of life were allocated to three age groups: group I (0-30 years, n=26); group II (31-60 years, n=32) and group III (61-90 years, n=35). The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and submitted to routine histological processing, and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

RESULTS

Significant differences with increasing age were observed for the following microscopic aspects: acinar atrophy (r=0.26, p=0.0115); replacement of parenchyma by fibrous tissue (r=0.79, p<0.0001) and/or adipose tissue (r=0.63, p<0.0001); oncocytosis (r=0.61, p<0.0001); duct-like structures (chi(2)=14.68, p=0.0006) and congested blood vessels (chi(2)=7.18, p=0.0276). The mononuclear infiltrate changed from focal to diffuse with age (H=8.47, p=0.0144). No significant differences were observed between genders.

CONCLUSIONS

The aging process starts with acinar atrophy, followed by the presence of duct-like structures and ends with the replacement of the parenchyma by fibrous and/or adipose tissue. The mononuclear infiltrate changes from focal to diffuse. No difference in the aging of the sublingual glands is observed between men and women.