ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Oral mucosa
;
Age-dependent changes
;
Lymphoid tissue
;
Macaca fascicularis
;
Morphometry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In three mature monkeys (Macaca fascicularis; 3.5±0.3 kg in weight), the labial, buccal and soft-palate mucosae were examined morphologically and stereologically. Using fixation by perfusion, standardized methods of tissue preparation and morphometric analysis at the light-microscopic level, the gross dimensions (i.e., epithelial thickness, width of combined lamina propria/submucosa) and the volumetric composition of the oral mucosae were estimated and compared with those of young animals examined previously. The data show (1) an age-related decline in the volume and prevalence of organized lymphoid tissue (i.e., lymphoid follicles associated with secretory ducts), (2) a stable plasma-cell density in the interglandular connective tissue, and (3) an increase of glandular tissue in mature versus young animals. It is suggested that the lymphoid follicles associated with secretory ducts, providing for plasma-cell generation, mirror the tonsillar lymphoid tissue declining after puberty.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00213740
