[The density of the mucous glands in the fetal nose (author's transl)]

Abstract

In 50 fetuses and premature infants between the ages of 11 and 23 weeks the entire nasal mucosa was dissected free and stained by the Osmium, the PAS or the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method after which the nasal mucous glands were studied with special reference to density. In front on the septum and in the lateral wall density increases evenly and is by the 23rd week 28 glands per square mm. In the middle and at the back of the septum, where the glands develope later, the density is somewhat smaller by the 23rd week. Through the entire period, and also after the 23rd week, new glands continue to develop a fact which is of importance for the understanding of the distribution of the glands since the first glands to develop form a glandular layer deep in the lamina propria and the last glands to develop a superficial layer.