PANCREAS 03

In this high magnification micrograph from a thin plastic section of monkey pancreas, the lumens of three blood vessels (BV) are indicated, the lowermost of which has a neutrophil in its lumen. Most of the field is occupied by exocrine acini. The basal cytoplasm of these secretory cells is variably basophilic (due to the ribosomes of the rER), while their apical cytoplasm shows acidophilic secretory granules (also called zymogen granules). The number "1" is placed between the apices of several exocrine cells (to the left, note the zymogen granules) and the nucleus of a centroacinar cell. Note that the nuclei of the centroacinar cells are paler than the nuclei of the secretory cells (at the bases of the pyramidal exocrine cells). Note also that, because the cytoplasm of the centroacinar cells (and of the duct cells in general) is scant and pale-staining, clusters of centroacinar/duct cells (such as at the number "2") are frequently seen but it is often difficult to ascertain the geometry of the smaller ducts. The number "3" is placed over the lumen of an intercalated duct that is probably cut almost at its very beginning (as several centroacinar cells).

Slide R-3, field N25 of finder slide B, 40X objective