Pancreas Histology

Exocrine Pancreas

The exocrine pancreas is made up of clusters of glandular epithelial
cells termed acini, which have characteristic basal nuclei and basophilic
basal cytoplasm due to an abundance of rough endoplasmic reticulum as
these cells make digestive enzymes. The apical cytoplasm is
eosinophilic from the stored secretory granules. These cells secrete into a
intercalated duct system, made up of simple to stratified cuibodal cells,
which secrete alkaline watery fluid to neutralize the secretions.
Secretion is stimulated neuronally and by cholecystokinin. Secretin stimulates
the duct cells to secrete alkaline fluid.

Endocrine Pancreas

The light staining endocrine pancreas cells are found irregular spaced
inbetween the pancreatic acini cells. The endocrine cells are found in
clusters, as pale staining epithelial cells within a rich plexus of
fenestrated capillaries and surrounding reticular fibers. About 75% of
the cells are beta insulin secreting, which are mainly found centrally.
25% are glucagon secreting alpha cells found in the periphery. There is
a small number of somatostatin secreting delta cells. Cells of the
endocrine pancreas can only be differentiated by immunohistochemistry.

Gomori Stain

Gomori stain, stains the alpha cells pink-red and the beta cells
blue-grey.