View source for Mucous gland

{{More citations needed|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox microanatomy
| Name        = Mucous gland
| Latin       = glandula mucosa
| Image       = Gray1021.png
| Caption     = Vertical section of [[foliate papilla]] of the rabbit, passing across the folia. (Serous gland labeled at bottom right.)
| Image2      = Gray1026.png
| Caption2    = Human [[submaxillary gland]]. At the right is a group of mucous [[Alveolar gland|alveoli]], at the left a group of serous alveoli.
| Precursor   =
| System      =
}}

'''Mucous glands''', also known as '''muciparous glands''', are found in several different parts of the body, and they typically [[stain (biology)|stain]] lighter than [[serous gland]]s during standard [[histology|histological]] preparation. Most are multicellular, but [[goblet cell]]s are single-celled glands.

==Mucous salivary glands==
The mucous salivary glands are similar in structure to the [[Buccal gland|buccal]] and [[labial glands]].

They are found especially at the back part behind the [[vallate papillae]], but are also present at the apex and marginal parts.

In this connection, the [[anterior lingual glands]] require special notice.

They are situated on the under surface of the [[apex of the tongue]], one on either side of the [[Frenulum of tongue|frenulum]], where they are covered by a [[Muscle fascicle|fascicle]] of muscular fibers derived from the [[styloglossus]] and [[inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue|inferior longitudinal]] muscles. They produce a [[glycoprotein]], [[mucin]] that absorbs water to form a sticky secretion called mucus.

They are from 12 to 25&nbsp;mm. long, and about 8&nbsp;mm. broad, and each opens by three or four ducts on the under surface of the apex.

The [[Weber's glands]] are an example of muciparous glands located along the tongue.

==See also==
* [[Mucus]]
* [[Gland]]
* [[Exocrine gland]]
* [[Weber's glands]]

==References==
{{Gray's}}

==External links==
* {{AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic|10|182}} - "Lingual glands"
* [http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/intro/glands.htm#1 Overview at siumed.edu]

{{Glands}}
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[[Category:Glands]]