Calcareous granules in the duct system of human submandibular glands: a postmortem study.

Abstract

Calcareous granules (CGs) in the duct system of human submandibular salivary glands were examined histologically in a series of 127 postmortem subjects after suitable exclusion had been made. Intraluminal CGs were found in 7 cases with a tendency to be more frequent in the higher age-groups. These intraluminal CGs were more frequent in the striated ducts and still less in the interlobular ducts. Extraluminal CGs were found in only 3 cases whose age was more than 50years. These extraluminal CGs were located between the duct epithelium and basement membrane, and were more frequent in the striated ducts but less in the interlobular ducts. In the series reported here, the frequency of CGs in the duct system apparently differs from the results of sialoliths. Altohugh the pathological significance of the intraluminal and extraluminal CGs in the duct system of human submandibular salivary glands remains obscure, its possible histogenesis is discussed.