Endocrine Histology

Question 1

What are major endocrine glands? (5)

Answer 1

Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas

Question 2

Common features of endocrine tissues (6)

Answer 2

Ductless, vascular, organization (blocks/plates/cords), epithelial, polyhedral, numerous organelles

Question 3

What is special about endothelium in endocrine tissue? Why is that way?

Answer 3

Fenestrated endothelium in endocrine tissue allows for easy diffusion of large molecules

Question 4

Patterns of endocrine cells (4)

Answer 4

Epithelial, mesenchymal, neural, individual cells

Question 5

What areas have epithelial growth pattern?

Answer 5

Thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal cortex, anterior pituitary

Question 6

Which epithelial endocrine tissue is not derived from ectoderm or endoderm?

Answer 6

Adrenal cortex is mesoderm derived

Question 7

Mesenchymal Pattern Endocrine cells:

Answer 7

Lydia cells and ovarian storm

Granulosa/luteal cells

Question 8

Neural Pattern Endocrine Cells (2): Location

Answer 8

Posterior pituitary

Adrenal medulla

Question 9

Individual Cell Pattern: (3)

Answer 9

GI tract (gastrin/somatostatin producing) 
Throughout body
Renal cortex (renin producing)

Question 10

Portions of Pituitary Gland

Answer 10

Anterior: ectoderm of oropharynx
Posterior: neuroectoderm of floor of 3rd ventricle

Question 11

Anterior Pituitary: Function and hormones secreted

Answer 11

Master gland: Regulates most endocrine glands

GH, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH, ACTH

Question 12

Regulation of Ant Pituitary

Answer 12

Hypothalamic neurons

Question 13

Posterior pituitary secretions (2)

Answer 13

Oxytocin and ADH

Question 14

Pituitary Cell Types in Pars Distalis: Acidophils (2)

Answer 14

Appear more pink

Somatotropes: produce GH (50%)
Lactotropes: produce PRL (10-20%)

Question 15

Cell Types in Pars Distalis: Basophils (3)

Answer 15

Appear more purple

Corticotropes: produce ACTH (15-20%)
Gonadotropes: produce LH/FSH (10%)
Thyrotropes: produce TSH (5%)

Question 16

Cell Types in Pars DIstalis: Chromophobes

Answer 16

Will not have color appearing; no granules

Exhausted/dying cells?

Question 17

Pars Nevosa: What are pituicytes?

Answer 17

Unmyelinated nerve axons and supporting cells

Cell bodies lie in hypothalamus

Question 18

What hormones are produced in pars nervosa?

Answer 18

ADH, oxytocin

Question 19

What are herring bodies?

Answer 19

Terminal end of axons that store ADH/oxytocin

Question 20

What is unique about thyroid?

Answer 20

Extracellular storage of thyroglobulin accumulates in follicles– this is unlike other endocrine organs

Question 21

Thyroid: Function of follicular cells in thyroid?

Answer 21

Store thyroglobulin in follicles 
Secrete T3 (thyroxin), T4

Question 22

Thyroid: Function of parafollicular cells (C cells)

Answer 22

Produce calcitonin

Found between follicles

Question 23

Parathyroid glands: how many? where? function?

Answer 23

Usually 4
Located near thymus
Function: Regulate calcium metabolism

Question 24

Histology of Parathyroid gland: Cell types (3)

Answer 24

Chief cells: Secrete PTH
Oxphil cells: Large/acidophilic
Adipocytes: increasing fat with age

Question 25

Parts of Adrenal Gland (2)

Answer 25

Cortex (90%)

Medulla: neuron-like; secrete catecholamines

Question 26

Adrenal Cortex Zones and Function

Answer 26

From out-in:
Zona Glomerulosa: minealocorticoids (aldosterone)
Zona fasciculata: glucocorticoids (cortisol)
Zona reticularis: gonadotropins (androgenic steroids)

Question 27

Zona Glomerulosa (15%)

Answer 27

Makes aldosterone

Closely packed clusters

Question 28

Zona fasciculata (80%)

Answer 28

Secretes glucocorticoids
Long cords separated by capillaries
Small nuclei
Lipid droplets containing steroid precursors

Question 29

Zona reticularis (5-7%)

Answer 29

Secretes androgenizing steroids (DHEA)

Question 30

Adrenal medulla cells: Types

Answer 30

Chromaffin cells: postsynaptic neurons without axons
Large dense core vesicles: secrete NE
Small less dense core vesicles: secrete epinephrine

Question 31

Islets make up ____% of pancreatic volume

Answer 31

1-2

Question 32

Cell types of Islets (4)

Answer 32

A
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PP