Morphological assessment of the tubular glands of the nasopharyn

Introduction. In foreign literature, a number of authors identify such anatomical structures as tubular salivary glands, which, when exposed to radiation, lead to the development of xerostomia. There are still ongoing discussions regarding this discovery and the importance of tubular salivary glands for practical medicine as a risk organ during radiation therapy.

Aim. To study the morphological characteristics of the tubular glands of the nasopharynx on cadaveric material.

Materials and methods. At the Samara Regional Bureau of Forensic Medicine in the simulation center, material was collected from areas of the posterior surface of the nasopharynx and histological examination of the cadaveric material was carried out. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the autopsy material was carried out. To perform the study, autopsy fragments were subjected to alcohol wiring and embedded in paraffin blocks. Then, 3–4 transverse sections, 5–7 μm thick, were made from each block, followed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results. Macroscopic and histological examination of nasopharyngeal autopsy specimens from 3 cadavers (2 fragments from each), selected randomly, showed that all 6 studied fragments correspond in structure to glandular structures and contain myoepithelial cells.

Conclusions. Conducting a morphological study after autopsy confirmed the presence of glandular tissue near the tubal ridge along the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, which refers to the salivary glands.

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