title: Ultrastructural characterization of intermediate cells of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid.
abstract: Five cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland were studied ultrastructurally. In addition to epidermoid cells (tonofilament-rich) and mucous cells, three forms of intermediate cells were identified: mitochondria-rich cells, glycogen-rich cells, and ribosome-rich cells. Transitional forms of all cell types were observed. Ultrastructurally, cells rich in glycogen appeared to be the "clear cells" by light microscopy; cells rich in ribosomes appeared basophilic under light microscopy. Mitochondria-rich cells were lightly eosinophilic under light microscopy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006003:Glycogen