[The fine structure of the exocrine pancreas of the mink (author's transl)]

The pancreas of female mink has been investigated by transmission electron microscopic means. The following results can be summarized: The pancreas of the mink is built up by the well known gland lobules as found in many other species; each lobule contains branched ducts with acini. The acinar cells are characteristically packed with granular endoplasmic reticulum, large Golgi apparatuses, and zymogen granules. Particularly interesting are large vacuoles, which seem to emerge directly from the endoplasmic reticular cysternae. The centroacinar cells form relatively extended protrusions or pseudopodia, which frequently penetrate into the intercellular spaces between neighbouring acinar cells. The peripheral isthmic parts of the ducts are covered by an isoprismatic epithelium. The adventitial tissue of the intralobular ducts contain mucous glands. Within the loose connective tissue between the exocrine cells, blood vessels as well as numerous nerves can be found. These results are compared to earlier reports on the same subject, and are also discussed together with available data from the literature.