Abstract
Although microliths occur in normal human salivary glands and may be an aetiological factor of sialadenitis, little is known of their natural history. In an attempt to remedy this, we investigated a large archival collection of normal and experimental feline parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. In submandibular and sublingual glands, microliths were detected ultrastructurally in: all types of acinar secretory cells; myoepithelial cells; ductal cells; lumina; intercellular spaces; basement membrane; stroma; macrophages; multinuclear giant cells; and neutrophils. Microliths were not detected ultrastructurally in parotid glands. Microliths appear to form in acinar cells during autophagy and in stagnant secretory material in lumina. Microliths appear to be removed by secretion in the saliva, discharge from cells laterally and basally, and engulfment by macrophages. There appears to be a turnover of microliths, which possibly is upset by secretory inactivity with a resulting accumulation that leads to localized obstruction and sialadenitis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
