[Ultrastructure of the Tuft cell in some epithelia of the domestic ruminants (author's transl)]

Abstract

The celltype here described, was discovered during an investigation of the epithelium of the main excretory ducts of the liver and the pancreas, as well as the conjunctiva, the organ of Jacobson and the glandular stomach of domestic ruminants. This s.c. Tuft cell in every case was shown to contain the following main characteristics: 1. Pearshape with a narrow apex, and a wide and round base. 2. Large spherical or ovoid nucleus. 3. Cellapex with unusually wide microvilli extending above the surface of the epithelium. 4. Filamentbundels of the microvilli radiating to the perinuclear space. 5. Electrondense small and big granules in the distal part of the cell or in the area around the nucleus. Tuftcells are possibly receptor cells with special additional functions that have adapted to various epithelial types.