Three-dimensional analysis of human Ebner's gland

Abstract

We analyzed changes in Ebner's gland with aging by 3-dimensional analysis to determine the relationship between the gland and the sense of taste. Samples were collected from Circumvallate papillae of the tongue in autopsied cases. After dehydration, samples were embedded in paraffin and cut into slices 5 microns thick for every 100 microns. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was done. The section was photographed in black and white and printed. Three tissues, circumvallate papillae, epithelium, and Ebner's gland were identified and traced on an OHP sheet and imput to a computer. The cubic volume of Ebner's gland was measured by Cosmozone 2SA 3-dimensional analysis software by and acinar cell occupancy I-BAS one imaging analysis. A total of 60 cases from age groups in them 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s were used. Each group contains 5 men and 5 women. The mean cubic volume of Ebner's gland in the 30s was 67.0 mm3, in the 40s was 64.6 mm3, in the 50s was 59.8 mm3, in the 60s was 39.2 mm3, in the 70s was 33.9 mm3, and in the 80s was 30.4 mm3. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in Ebner's gland cubic volume between age groups at p < 0.01. In acinar cell occupancIEs the coefficient of correlation was -0.858 in men and -0.838 in women with the correlation diagram showing a negative correlation. The acinar cell occupancy decreases with age for the presumed acinar cell volume in the Ebner's gland, the coefficient of correlation was -0.929 in men and -0.854 in women, with the correlation diagram showing a negative correlation. The presumed acinar cell volume decreases with age. We concluded that Ebner's gland is concerned indirectly with diminished sensitivity of the sense of taste with aging.