Abstract
1. The distribution of cholinesterase in the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands has been studied histochemically in 24 mature rats.
2. A small amount of true cholinesterase was found in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the duct cells but was absent from the acinar cells.
3. True cholinesterase was present in the nerve trunks accompanying the intra and interlobular ducts of both glands but the concentration was less in the nerves supplying the sublingual gland.
4. True cholinesterase was also found to be present in the form of a fine network around the acini of both glands but was much less evident around the acini of the sublingual gland.
5. The significance of this cholinesterase network in relation to the mode of termination of the nerve fibres to the different secretory cells of the glands is discussed.