part_of adult salivary gland adult salivary gland type III acini A cluster of acini located primarily in the posterior region of the salivary gland, connected via secondary ducts to the mainsalivary gland duct. Comprised of three major cell types, D, E and F cells. According to Jaworski et al (1992), the cement compoundsused to bind the tick mouthparts to the host skin are elaborated in the D and E cells of these acini. Bishop et al (2002) report acement protein from the type E cells of the type III acini in Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. The F cell is transformed during bloodfeeding by membrane infolding to form an enormous labyrinthe system for extracting water and salts from the hemolymph and secreting them into the salivary ducts for excretion back into the host. The type III acini are the primary sites for development of sporozoites of Theileria parva, the agent of East Coast Fever. Fig. 8-10, in Biology of Ticks ISBN:0-19-505910-7. TADS:0000128 TADS:0000128 default_namespace