A granular cell in the proximal intercalated duct of human parotid and submandibular glands

In human parotid and submandibular gland unusual granulated cells are observed at the acinar-intercalated duct junction. These cells, which show a well developed Golgi apparatus, greatly differ from the typical elements of the intercalated ducts mainly due to the presence of abundant secretory granules of unknown nature. A complex substructure distinguishes these granules from those of conventional ductal cells and from those of acinar cells as well. In addition, some differences exist in the morphology of the granules observed in parotid with respect to those of submandibular gland.