Black J B
J Morphol. 1977 Jul;153(1):107-17. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051530107.
The glandular layer constitutes the greatest bulk of the human soft palate and is composed of individual compound tubulo-acinar salivary glands. Connective tissue partitions of the submucosa divide the glandular layer into lobules of irregular shapes and sizes. The glands are interwoven and bound firmly together by a connective tissue stroma rich in elastic fibers. The secretory units consist of elongated, branched, and sometimes convoluted tubules lined by a single layer of pyramidal mucous cells. Mucous secretion by acini is supplemented to some degree by mucous acinar cells, which were found as epithelial components of all ducts except the main excretory ducts, suggesting a diffuse distribution of progenitor cells. Some mucous acini communicate with highly convoluted intercalated ducts which occupy partially isolated positions within inter- and intralobular connective tissue septa. These ducts follow the connective tissue septa and eventually join the main duct system. The significance of this system of intercalated ducts is not known. A supplemental functional role is hypothesized.
腺层构成了人类软腭的大部分，由单个复合管状腺泡唾液腺组成。黏膜下层的结缔组织分隔将腺层分成形状和大小不规则的小叶。腺体相互交织，并由富含弹性纤维的结缔组织基质紧密结合在一起。分泌单位由单层锥形黏液细胞内衬的细长、分支且有时呈卷曲状的小管组成。腺泡的黏液分泌在一定程度上由黏液性腺泡细胞补充，这些细胞在除主排泄管外的所有导管中均作为上皮成分被发现，提示祖细胞的弥漫性分布。一些黏液性腺泡与高度卷曲的闰管相通，闰管在小叶间和小叶内结缔组织间隔内占据部分孤立的位置。这些导管沿着结缔组织间隔走行，最终汇入主导管系统。闰管系统的意义尚不清楚。推测其具有补充性功能作用。
