acini

(noun)

An acinus (adjective: acinar; plural: acini) refers to any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed berry, such as a raspberry (acinus is Latin for berry).

Related Terms

Examples of acini in the following topics:

  • Histology of the Pancreas

    • The pancreas serves digestive and endocrine functions, and it is composed of two types of tissue: islets of Langerhans and acini.
    • The dark-stained cells form acini that are connected to ducts.

  • Overview of Pancreatic Islets

    • The exocrine function of the pancreas is involved in digestion, and these associated structures are known as the pancreatic acini.
    • The pancreatic acini are clusters of cells that produce digestive enzymes and secretions and make up the bulk of the pancreas.

  • Pancreas

    • The pancreas is composed of pancreatic exocrine cells, whose ducts are arranged in clusters called acini.
    • The cells are filled with secretory granules containing the inactivated digestive enzymes, mainly trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, pancreatic lipase, and amylase, that are secreted into the lumen of the acini.

  • Pancreatic Juice

    • A schematic diagram that shows pancreatic acini and the ducts where fluid is created and released.

  • Associated Organs

    • The pancreas is composed of pancreatic exocrine cells, whose ducts are arranged in clusters called acini.
    • The cells are filled with secretory granules containing the inactivated digestive enzymes, mainly trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, pancreatic lipase, and amylase, that are secreted into the lumen of the acini.

  • Types of Cells in the Pancreas

    • The dark-stained cells form acini, connected to ducts.