Abstract
The fine structure of the lizard (Anolis carolinensis) labial gland was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The obtained results are as follows.
1) The labial gland of Anolis carolinensis is formed by aggregations of small glands, which can be described as branched tubular and acinar type. The duct of each small gland opens into the vesibulum oris.
2) The glandular cells are arranged in a layer against the basal lamina and appear to be irregulary cuboidal or columnar in shape. The nucleus is at the base of each cell and usually appears ungular. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and the free ribosome are abundant, and are usually located near the basal part of cell.
3) Numerous mucous droplets are contained between the nucleus and the free cell surface, measuring from 1 to 2μm in diameter. Low and high electron dense droplets can be found. Low electron dense droplets are usually irregular in shape and the boundaries between neighbourring droplets are either not clear or completely absent. These mucous droplets seem to be discharged by exocytosis.
4) Another type of cells, the myoepithelial-like cells, containing the droplets similar to the mucous droplets of the glandular cells, were observed among the true myoepithelial cells.
These findings suggest that the fine structure of Anolis carolinensis labial gland is similar to that of human labial gland, inspite of presence of the myoepithelial-like cells.
