Glands 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of a gland
An epithelial cell or an aggregate of epithelial cells that are specialised for the secretion of a substance (eg a goblet cell)
What is secretion
Secretion: the production and release of materials by a cell or aggregate of cells
What do glands do
Glands regulate human physiology to a large extent by receiving stimulus from the brain (CNS), but also from circulating levels of chemicals and from neighbouring cells
What are the two types of glands
- Endocrine (ductless)
- Exocrine (ducted)
How are glands classified
Typically, glands are classified according to:
1. their structure
2. how their products are released
What is the difference between an endocrine and an exocrine gland
- Endocrine (ductless)
- Exocrine (ducted)
How do Endocrines secrete their products
These glands secrete directly into blood flowing through them, to let the secretion function at distant parts of the body. Their secretions are called hormones.
What are the examples of an endocrine (ductless)
- What do they do
- Pituitary Gland (of the hypothalamus): beneath (inferior to) the hypothalamus in the brain
- Anterior (front part) pituitary gland: produces hormones (ACTH, LH, FSH, TSH) that regulate most of the glands of the endocrine system; prolactin: Stimulates milk production in mothers; somatotrophin: A hormone which regulates the growth of the body and tissues
- Posterior (rear part) pituitary: produces vasopressin (ADH or anti-diuretic hormone) that prevent water loss from kidneys. Oxytocin, which signals uterus for delivery in pregnant women at the end of gestation and ejection of milk during breast feeding.
- Thyroid gland: Produces thyroid hormones T3 & T4 that control metabolism; calcitonin, involved in calcium homeostasis
- Parathyroid gland: Produces parathyroid hormone, calcium homeostasis
What do Exocrine (ducted) glands secrete
These glands secrete into a location or region of the body through a duct, and their secretions are mostly enzymes or lubricants.
What are the examples of an endocrine (ductless)
- What do they do
- Salivary gland: Secrete saliva into the oral cavity. Saliva has many functions including partial digestion of food and lubrication
- Pancreas: Secretes enzymes: amylase, trypsin, and lipase. These enzymes digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats, respectively
- Mammary: Produces colostrum and milk in response to prolactin and oxytocin (hormones) to nourish neonates
- Sweat glands: Secrete sweat, which acts to regulate body temperature and also excretion
- Sebaceous gland: Secretes sebum onto the skin and in the ear (contributes to earwax) to protect these tissues from pathogens
- Lachrymal glands: In eye secrete an aqueous fluid to moisten the eye, also produce lysozyme (an enzyme to attack bacteria)
What type of cells are found the Endocrine
MOST cells are simple cuboidal epithelial cells
Which cells in endocrine secrete hormones
all epithelial cells in the gland secrete the hormones
Which cells in exocrine secrete product
only cells at the apex of the duct secrete the products
In exocrine cells why do cells around lumen look columnar no cuboidal
Secretion is staining in the lumen thus looks like columnar but they are cuboidal
What Is adenogenesis
Gland development - adenogenesis
(formation of gland)
Process of andenogensis
- Epithelium receives signal form mesenchymal cells
- Signals are fibroblast growth factors (FGF’s)
- cells grown towards signal
- They do this by creating proteases which degrade extracellular matrix around them allowing them to grow
-The epithelial cells invade space created
from here the cell turns into either a Exocrine gland or a Endocrine gland
In EXOCRINE
- cells die off in the middle to produce a duct
(canalicularisation)
Significant amount of branching - as the gland keeps growing
In ENDOCRINE
- Stalk of cells breaks of basal lamina
- This forms a “ball” of cells
- they produce angiogenic factors to stimulate blood vessel growth in and around epithelial cells
Virtually no branching
How does branching occur
What growth factors are involved
- Fibroblast Growth Factor releases immature fibroblasts (mesenchymal cells)
- epithelial cells move towards signal
Two different fates:
1. Tubule elongation
(Growth factor 1 active: Growth factor 2 inactive)
2. Tubule branching
(Growth factor 1 inactive: Growth Factor 2 active)
In exocrine glands there are two types of epithelial cell:
where are they
- Cells lining the ducts
- Cells that make secretory products
What are the different shapes of gland ducts
Simple Tubular - interesting glands - no branching
Simple branched Tubular - stomach (Gastric) Glands - branching
Compound Tubular - Duodenal Glands of small intestines - branched
Simple alveolar - none in humans - no branching
Simple branched alveolar - Sebaceous oil glands (hair) - branched
Compound Alveolar - mammary glands - branched
Compound Tubuloalveolar - salivary glands - branched
What is the shape of alveolar
alveolar = berry
What are Myoepithelial cells
(how are they formed)
Some of the cells at the secretory ends of the ducts change morphology and class by turning into myoepithelial cells:
- Cells that have features of both an epithelial cell and a smooth muscle cell
- Help to eject secretions from the duct
(Important in the breast)