MORPHOLOGY OF THE SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND OF THE GERBIL (Meriones unguiculatus): A MACROSCOPIC AND LIGHT MICROSCOPY STUDY

the morphology of the submandibular gland of the gerbil was studied using macroscopic and microscopic techniques. ten gerbils were anesthetized and perfused with 10% formalin and the anterior cervical region of each animal was dissected for macroscopic analysis of the submandibular gland. for histological analysis, the pieces were fixed in the same solution and embedded in paraffin for routine processing. serial 6-mm thick sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius for light microscopy analysis. the results showed that the submandibular gland of the gerbil is ovoid in shape and is located in the submandibular region, measuring about 9.0 mm in length and 5.9 mm in width. histologically, the acini consist of four irregularly arranged cell types. the ductal system consists of four distinct segments, i.e., intercalary duct, granulose duct, striated duct, and excretory duct, each with different characteristics