acinous

9.9

Relating to small bag-like parts inside some glands

adjective
/ˈæsɪnəs/

Specialized

: acinoso

The pancreas is made up of many acinous structures responsible for enzyme secretion.

Examples

Under the microscope, the acinous glands showed signs of inflammation.
This type of tumor typically arises from acinous cells in salivary glands.
The acinous structure of the gland is crucial for its function.
In histology, acinous cells are often studied for their secretory functions.
The pancreas is made up of many acinous structures responsible for enzyme secretion.
This type of tumor typically arises from acinous cells in salivary glands.
Under the microscope, the acinous glands showed signs of inflammation.

Synonyms

acinar

vsacinous

Specialized

1 9.8

Small sac-like parts of a gland that make and release fluids

is about resembling small sacs especially in compound glands

acinic

vsacinous

Specialized

1 9.9

Relating to the small sacs in a gland that make fluids like saliva

is broader, meaning resembling small sacs rather than a single cavity

acinose

vsacinous

Specialized

9.9

Having many small pouch-like parts, as in some glands

is about resemblance rather than being actually composed of small parts

Surface Forms

acinous positive

Morphology

acinous = acinus (transparent) = acinus + ous

Formed by the regular adjectival suffix '-ous' added to the medical noun 'acinus', so it straightforwardly means 'relating to or resembling acini'.

Etymology

Acinous comes from the Latin acinus, meaning 'berry' or 'grape', giving the image of small round fruits; so an acinous gland or cell looks like a little bunch of berries. That's why in medicine acinous describes tiny sac-like parts that produce fluid.