22- Endocrine System 2 Flashcards
Thyroid gland
bilobed gland Septa divide loves into lobules About 25-40 grams 2 lobes are connected by an isthmus gland lies in the anterior region of neck, inferior to larynx Thin CT capsule surrounding it
Follicular/principal cells
are the secretory cells
form follicles (hollow spheres with a central cavity)
follicles are .02-.9 mm in diameter
The follicular lumen is filled with a substance called
Colloid- contains proteolytic enzymes, thyroglobulin, and mucoproteins
Parafollicular/ C cell
second type of secretory cell
found in the wall of the follicle or between follicles
Parafollicular cells are identified by their location rather than by their appearance
In LM they are similar in appearance to follicular cells
Blood supply to thyroid
fenestrated capillaries from thyroid arteries
Nerve supply to thymus
Postganglionic sympathetic fibers to blood vessels
Follicular cells (principal cells) form
the wall of the follicles
- surrounded by basal lamina at their periphery
- have round and prominent nuclei
- their hight in a follicle is directly proportional to the activity of the follicle (lower epithelium, more squamous means less active follicle)
Inactive follicles have more
stored colloid
Follicular cells secrete
thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyroninie) and T4 (tetra-iodothyronine)
Follicular cells synthesize
thyroglobulin (which is released into the lumen of the follicle where it is iodinated)
Iodinated thyroglobulin is stored
in the follicular lumen
When needed, thyroglobulin is taken up by endocytosis back into the follicular cells
Thyroglobulin is hydrolyzed in the follicular cells to release
T3 and T4
T3 and T4 are released from the basal surface of the follicular cells into the interstitum, where they diffuse into blood and lymph capillaries
T3 and T4 regulate
metabolism
T3 and T4 production is controlled by a feedback system that works through the hypothalamus
Low levels of T3 and T4
cause the release of thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus
TRH causes release of TSH from the adenohypophysis into the blood
TSH reaches the thyroid, where it stimulates
production and release of T3 and T4; levels of T3 and T4 in circulating blood control TRH release
Levels of T3 and T4 in blood control release of
TRH
Parafollicular cells
- Lie in the follicle wall or between follicles
- Forms part of the follicular wall
- Parafollicular cell never directly contacts the colloid in the lumen of the cell
Parafollicular cells release
the hormone thryocalcitonin (calcitonin)
Thryocalcitonin does what?
lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption and increasing calcium absorption by bone
Thyrocalcitonin release is directly regulated by
blood calcium levels
High calcium levels stimulates its release
(so it’s taken from the blood up into the bone)
Simple hypertrophy of the thyroid gland is called
goiter, it’s most commonly caused by an iodine-deficient diet
Inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) may be caused by
a virus, or be the result of an autoimmune reaction (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
Excessive activity of the thyroid gland is called
hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis or Grave’s disease)
In hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease) hyperfunction of the thyroid is the result of
a defect in the immune system, with production of a circulating immunoglobulin that binds to the follicular cells and mimics the effects of TSH
It is characterized by weight loss, increased heart rate, nervousness, and protrusion of the eyeballs (exophthalmos)
Hypothyroidism is
abnormally low levels of production of thyroid hormones
In adults, the condition is called myxedema, and it may be the result of an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which destroys thyroid tissue
Characterized by weight gain, non-pitting edema of the skin, dry and cold skin, constipation, decreased heart rate, and enlargement of the tongue