Myoepithelial activity and the appearances of sialograms: a possible role in the formation of sialectasis.

In experimental studies on dogs it has been shown that the sialographic filling of the ductal system may be severely restricted if the myoepithelial cells are contracting and it seems likely that myoepithelial activity in man will also influence sialographic appearances. It has also been found that when secretory forces were accompanied by myoepithelial contraction against a sialographic pressure the ersuing damage to striated ducts produced appearances of sialectasis. IT IS WONDERED WHETHER SIMILAR EVENTS MAY SOMETIMES BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SIALECTATIC APPEARANCES IN MAN.