o Classify morphological types of epithelia based on the number of cell layers, shape of apical cells, and presence of surface specializations. o Describe the structure of microvilli, cilia, and other apical specializations of epithelial cells. o Explain the composition and function of the basement membrane.

Virtual microscope slides of exocrine glands - salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and the exocrine pancreas.

The pancreas is the largest exocrine gland and is 99% exocrine tissue and 1% endocrine. The primary function of the excocrine tissue is to produce digestive enzymes. Histology Guide - a virtual histology laboratory with zoomable images of microscope slides and electron micrographs.

Virtual microscope slides of endocrine glands - pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreatic islets of Langerhans.

Exocrine glands have ducts - and they secrete onto a surface: examples of exocrine glands are: sebaceous and sweat glands (in the skin), salivary glands (oral), Brunner's glands. So, we have covered their basic structure and function in tissue types, and we have looked at several examples of exocrine glands in other topics.

Exocrine glands are further classified according to four criteria: Mechanisms of secretion. Structure of their ducts and secretory portions. Type of secretory product. Location/degree of development. Learning outcomes; After viewing the histological images and interactive text in this module you should know. what a gland is. differences between ...

Relative activity level of the thyroid gland can be assessed based upon the appearance of epithelial (i.e., follicular) cells and colloid under light microscopy. Draw or describe a thyroid follicle in each level of activity (hypothyroid, normal activity, and hyperthyroid) that indicates the changes in these two features.

E xocrine glands show an excretory duct, which connects the secretory units (structures in red in the image above) with the free surface of the epithelium. The morphology and arrangement of both secretory and excretory parts result in a wide variety of exocrine glands.

Merocrine (aka, eccrine)- secretory vesicles fuse with the apical plasma membrane to release their products into a duct (e.g. secretion of saliva by salivary glands). Take a look at this specimen of the submandibular gland, which uses the merocrine mode of secretion.

These substances are often released into the blood stream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland). Image of gland lumen captured under a biological laboratory microscope with the Jenoptik C14+ microscope camera. Endocrine glands secrete their products through the basal lamina and lack a duct system.