Endocrine Histology Flashcards
1
Q
Key Components of the Generic Endocrine Gland
Parenchyma =
A
- endocrine secreting cells
- capillary plexus
2
Q
The Key to Histology is …..
A
pattern recognition
3
Q
Pituitary gland quiz!
A
4
Q
List the secretory cell types found in the anterior pituitary: (5)
A
- Somatotrophs (acidophil)
- Lactotrophs (acidophil)
- Corticotrophs (basophil)
- Thyrotrophs (basophil)
- Gonadotrophs (basophil)
5
Q
- Where are the nonmyelinated axons for the posterior pituitary found?
- What is the dilation at the terminal end of the axon called?
- What hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?
- What are pituicytes?
A
- supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus
-
Herring body: dilation at the terminal end of the axon adjacent to the capillary
- filled with neurosecretion
- Oxytocin and vasopressin along with a carrier protein called neurophysin are the hormones released at the axon terminals
- pituicytes =** **supporting glial cells
6
Q
What is unique about the blood supply of the posterior pituitary?
A
Portal system:
- Long portal vessels that surround the pituitary stalk drain the capillary plexus in the median eminence
- long portal vessels and the two capillary plexuses comprise the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system
7
Q
What is stored in the thyroid follicles?
A
- large amounts of inactive hormone (thyroglobulin)
- epithelial lined spaces containing variable amounts of fluid called colloid
8
Q
What are the secretory cells of the thyroid gland?
A
-
Thyroid epithelial cell
- wall of the thyroid follicle
-
C cell or parafollicular cell
- space between follicles
- larger than follicle epithelial cells
- harder to distinguish because of their pale staining characteristics
9
Q
What is secreted by thyroid follicle cells?
A
-
Thyroid epithelial cells:
- Thyroglobulin
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Thyroxine (T4)
-
C/Parafollicular cells:
- Calcitonin
10
Q
What is the constant histological feature of the parathyroid gland?
A
Adipocytes
- act as a stroma on which cords or clumps of secretory cells are arranged
11
Q
List the secretory cells of the parathyroid gland:
A
- Chief cells
- Oxyphil cells
12
Q
Adrenal gland:
- Cortex secretes ….
- Medulla secretes ….
A
- cortex secretes steroid hormones
-
medulla is a neuroendocrine gland secreting vasoactive amines
- epinephrine
- norepinephrine
13
Q
- What are the different zones of the adrenal gland cortex?
- What is secreted in each zone?
A
-
Zona glomerulosa
- Mineralocorticoids
-
Zona fasciculata
- Glucocorticoids
-
Zona reticularis
- Androgenic steroids
14
Q
What is the morphology of a steroid secreting cell?
A
-
abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum
- site of steroid synthesis
- **abundant mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae **
- site of cholesterol synthesis
-
membrane bound lipid droplets
- raw material for making steroid hormones
15
Q
What are the endocrine cells of the pancreas called?
A
pancreatic islets or Islets of Langerhans