The innervation of normal human submandibular and parotid salivary glands: Demonstrated by cholinesterase histochemistry, catecholamine fluorescence and electron microscopy

Abstract

The nerves in human submandibular and parotid glands were similar in distribution and appearance. No specialized “nerve endings”, nor any axons beneath the parenchymal basement membrane, were detected. Neuro-effector sites are thought to occur where an axon—partially bared of Schwann cell—has its free surface in relatively close approximation to an effector cell. Such sites were seen frequently in association with acini, myoepithelia, intercalary ducts and muscular blood vessels, somewhat less often in association with striated ducts and rarely by collecting ducts. The principal parenchymal innervation was cholinergic but many adrenergic nerves were also present. No specialized sensory structures were observed.