acinus

acinus /ac·i·nus/ (as´ĭ-nus) pl. a´cini   [L.] a small saclike dilatation, particularly one in a gland; see also alveolus.

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liver acinus  the smallest functional unit of the liver, a mass of liver parenchyma that is supplied by terminal branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery and drained by a terminal branch of the bile duct.

Liver acinus: hepatic lobules are represented by hexagons (solid lines); liver acinus is represented by rhombus (dotted line).

pancreatic acinus  one of the secretory units of the exocrine pancreas, where pancreatic juice is produced.

pulmonary acinus  terminal respiratory unit.

thyroid acini  see under follicle.

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ac·i·nus (s-ns)

n. pl. ac·i·ni (-n)

Any of several minute grape-shaped secretory portions of an acinous gland.

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a·cinic (-snk), aci·nose (s-ns), aci·nous (-ns) adj.

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acinus

[as′inəs] pl. acini

Etymology: L, grape

1 any small saclike structure, particularly one found in a gland.

2 See alveolus.

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acinus [as´ĭ-nus] (pl. a´cini) (L.)

any of the smallest lobules of a compound gland.

liver acinus the smallest functional unit of the liver, a mass of liver parenchyma that is supplied by terminal branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery and drained by a terminal branch of the bile duct.

 Liver acinus: Hepatic lobules are represented by hexagons (solid lines); liver acinus is represented by rhombus (dotted line). From Dorland's, 2000.

pulmonary acinus terminal respiratory unit.

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acinus ( acini) (as´ins),

n 1. a saclike cavity present in a gland or the lungs.
2. a group of secretory cells of the salivary gland.

acinus, serous

n a group of serous cells producing serous secretory product such as in the salivary glands.

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acinus

pl. acini [L.] any of the smallest lobules of a compound gland.

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liver acinus

the smallest functional unit of the liver made up of two wedge-shaped masses of liver parenchyma that are supplied by two neighboring branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery and drained by two central veins and by terminal branches of the bile duct.