Basolateral Interdigitations

Interdigitations 1 between cell processes in the epithelium of a secretory duct from the parotid gland. The tissue is cut parallel to the cell surface. The interlocking digitations of neighboring plasmalemma are particularly impressive in this picture. They convey the impression of a labyrinth. As in other sections, the processes, which create the interdigitations, contain large mitochondria 2 . The shape of the mitochondria adjusts to the spacing within the cell processes.  The cells of the secretory duct of salivary glands have all the structural criteria of a transport epithelium.

1 Interdigitizing cell processes

2 Mitochondria

3 Desmosomes

Electron microscopy; magnification: × 4000

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgar t · New York .