Maeda S, Mogi G
Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1984;416:7-19.
The cryptal epithelia contained three types of micropores (termed microcrypt) in association with free cells. Type III microcrypts appeared between ordinary epithelial cells with microridges and "specialized epithelial cells". The specialized epithelial cells consist of ciliated cells and non-ciliated cells having secretory granules and pinocytotic vesicles. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was taken up by phagocytes which protruded from the microcrypt and the superficial squamous epithelial cells with pinocytotic vesicles of idiopathic hypertrophic tonsils. It is suggested that Type III microcrypts have two contradictory functions. One is an active absorption of exogenous antigens; and the other is an exclusion of exogenous invasions according to mucociliary function. In recurrent tonsillitis, HRP was remarkably detected in the dilated stratified squamous epithelial clefts, epithelial tunnels, subepithelial layers and in the lumen of the high endothelial venules. The occurrence of sclerotic germinal centres in recurrent tonsillitis, and in focal infection, was greater than in idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy, whereas the incidence in appearance of specialized epithelial cells was less frequent in acute tonsillitis than in recurrent tonsillitis, and in focal infection.
隐窝上皮含有三种与游离细胞相关的微孔（称为微隐窝）。III型微隐窝出现在具有微嵴的普通上皮细胞与“特殊上皮细胞”之间。特殊上皮细胞由纤毛细胞和具有分泌颗粒及吞饮小泡的非纤毛细胞组成。辣根过氧化物酶（HRP）被从微隐窝突出的吞噬细胞以及伴有特发性肥大扁桃体吞饮小泡的浅表鳞状上皮细胞摄取。提示III型微隐窝具有两种相互矛盾的功能。一种是对外源性抗原的主动吸收；另一种是根据黏液纤毛功能对外源性入侵的排斥。在复发性扁桃体炎中，在扩张的复层鳞状上皮裂隙、上皮隧道、上皮下层以及高内皮微静脉腔内可明显检测到HRP。复发性扁桃体炎和局灶性感染中硬化生发中心的发生率高于特发性扁桃体肥大，而急性扁桃体炎中特殊上皮细胞出现的发生率低于复发性扁桃体炎和局灶性感染。
