Electron microscopic studies of Moll's gland cyst

Abstract

Several Moll's gland cysts from 4 different patients were studied with the light and electron microscopes. The cysts were lined with a combination of several different epithelia, such as completely keratinized epithelium, glycogen-rich, stratified squamous epithelium with incompletely keratinized luminal cells, sweat duct epithelium, and secretory cells. In one case in addition to the above components, secretory-type wall cells contained very large lamellar inclusions which were PAS positive and diastase resistant. It was concluded that Moll's gland cyst is composed of dilated duct of the Moll's gland and secretory segment; the proportion of each segment is variable but the portion showing ductal differentiation is usually predominant and typical secretory epithelium is not always seen.