The acinar cells are pyramidal in shape and are characterized by large zymogen granules generally located in the acidpphilic apical portion of the cells . The basal basophilic portion of the acinar cell is richly endowed with rough endoplasmic reticulum, indicative of a protein synthesizing cell. The pancreas secretes an alkaline fluid that raises the pH of the duodenal lumen. Occasional sections show pale-staining centroacinar cells in the hilus of the acinus in continuity with the epithelium. The islets of Langerhans which characterize the pancreas are randomly dispersed throughout the gland.
Islets appear as aggregates of light staining cells.
The islets are not heavily encapsulated and are separated from the acini by a very thin connective tissue layer. An elaborate Golgi apparatus, and numerous zymogen granules are the principal organelles in these cells. Identify the apical and basal ends of the cell. Both have prominent mucosal folds and smooth-muscle muscularis externas. No true villi- mucosal folds resemble villi 2.