What histology characterizes lacrimal gland acini and ducts?

• A. Mucous acini with pseudostratified ducts
• B. Serous acini with surrounding myoepithelial cells; ducts lined by simple cuboidal epithelium
• C. Serous acini without myoepithelial cells; ducts lined by squamous epithelium
• D. Mixed acini with goblet cells

Answer: (B)

Lacrimal gland tissue is a serous exocrine gland organized as tubuloalveolar units. The secretory units are serous acini, which produce the watery component of tears. These acini are surrounded by contractile myoepithelial cells that help squeeze the secretions into the ducts. The ducts themselves are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium, with smaller ducts more clearly showing this simple cuboidal lining.

So the hallmark features are serous acini with surrounding myoepithelial cells, and ducts that are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The other options don’t fit because lacrimal acini are not mucous, goblet cells aren’t a feature of the lacrimal gland ducts, and myoepithelial cells are indeed present around the acini and ducts.