Histo Pracs Sem 2 Flashcards
For each feature does it relate to proximal or distal convoltued tuble of kidney?
- Smaller cells/more visible nuclei
- Brush Border
- Paler Cytoplasm
- larger well defined lumen
- More numberous cross section per field (longer)
- Distal
- Proximal
- Distal
- Distal
- Proximal
Proximal is long and brushy
Distal is larger lumen, visible nuclei and pale cytoplasm
5 functions of Mesagial cells and their matrix?
a: Participation in the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism:
b: Structural support of glomerular capillary loops:
c: Secretion of vasoactive factors and cytokines:
d: Phagocytosis:
e: Contraction to control glomerular capillary blood flow:
In which glomerular region is the IgA deposited in a section of IgA nephropathy?
IgG deposits in membranous nephropathy?
IgA: within the mesangium
IgG: within the glomerulous basement membrane
What classes to the parafollicular or C cells of the thyroid belong?
epithelial? mesenchymal? neuroendocrine? glial?
Why?
Epithelial and Neuroendocrine.
C cells of the thyroid are secretory thus they are epithelial. They are endocrine as they secrete their hormone into the blood. They are particular type of endocrine cell, known as neuroendocrine (which have features of both secretory and neural cells), similar to the neuroendocrine (enteroendocrine) cells of the GIT.
What morphological type of epithelium normally lines the thyroid follicles?
simple cuboidal
What is the colour of the cut surface of the normal thyroid gland?
yellow
tan
white
deep red
pale brownish red
Pale brownish Red
(The red-brown colour of the gland is due to its iodine content and high vascularity. )
Clinical scenario: A 40-year-old woman presented to her general practitioner with several months of symptoms including intolerance to heat, increased appetite, weight loss, tremor, restlessness and feelings of anxiety with no apparent cause.
What general endocrine problem?
What is most common cause in Australia?
These symptoms suggest thyrotoxicosis, due to excessive amounts of circulating thyroid homone. Strictly speaking, hyperthyroidism refers to those cases caused by excess synthesis and secretion of hormones by the gland, however, there are other causes. The most common cause of both in western countries is Graves disease.
What type of epithelium lines the thyroid follicles in the patient’s thyroid?
Simple squamous
Simple cuboidal
Simple columnar
Stratified columnar
Simple Columnar
What features are demonstrated in the abnormal thyroid?
Chronic inflammation
Malignant change
Hyperplasia
Acute inflammation
Hypertrophy
Dysplasia
Atrophy
Metaplasia
Hypertrophy, Hyperplasia, Acute Inflam and Chronic Inflam
The follicular cells show hypertrophy (the cells are columnar rather than cuboidal, i.e. larger) and there are more of them than in the normal thyroid. There is much less colloid compared with a normal gland. Some scalloping of colloid at the periphery of follicles is noted. There are also patchy aggregates of lymphocytes and plasma cells i.e. chronic inflammation. Note also the vascularity of the gland.
Macrocopic Appearance of Thyroid in Graves Disease?
n Graves disease the gland will typically be diffusely enlarged (rather than nodular) and deep red/brown in appearance, the latter due to its vascularity.
Clinical scenario: A 40-year-old woman presented to her general practitioner having noticed a mass at the front of her neck and a reduction in the frequency of her periods. The GP took a history and found that she had also been suffering from increasing tiredness, intolerance to cold weather and weight gain. Her mother was on tablets for a thyroid problem. The neck mass was symmetrically enlarged and moved on swallowing.
What general endocrine problem do these clinical features suggest?
What is the most common underlying causative disease in Australia?
- Hypothyroidism
- Hashimotos
The clinical features suggest hypothyroidism. In Australia (where dietary iodine levels are generally sufficient) the most common cause is Hashimoto disease (autoimmune thyroiditis).
Describe the microscopic abnormalities seen in Hashimotos Thyroid Disease:
The thyroid reveals a marked reduction in follicles and colloid. There is a florid chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate with many l_ymphocytes and plasma cells._ Many germinal centres are present. Residual follicular epithelial cells exhibit granular eosinophilic cytoplasm (Hürthle cells).
Comment:
Note that the presence of germinal centres indicates the development of a humoral mediated immune response. Germinal centres are the regions where B lymphocytes commence their differentiation into plasma cells. The plasma cells produce antibodies that are involved in the disease process. Cell mediated immunity (via CD8+ T cells) may also be involved in damaging the thyroid epithelium.
The altered follicular epithelial cells (with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm) in Hashimoto disease are known as ‘Hürthle cells’. Their nuclei may appear quite enlarged and pleomorphic but they are not dysplastic.
How is the damage in Hashimoto’s Disease mediated?
Would the patient’s serum TSH level be expected to be high, low or ‘normal’ (within the reference interval)?
Cell and antibody mediated damage
High
Damage in Hashimoto disease is probably both cell and antibody mediated.
Serum TSH would be expected to be high.
Macroscopic features of early Hashimotos Thyroid Disease?
Diffusely enlarged
Atrophied
Paler than normal
Redder than normal
Nodular
Paler then Normal
and Diffusely Enlarged.
In Hashimoto’s disease the gland will typically be diffusely (rather than nodular) enlarged and paler than normal. Focal enlargement or nodularity may occur in a minority of cases.
Why does a Hashimoto’s Disease thyroid look paler then normal?
The lack of colloid and replacement of follicles by inflammatory cells will cause the gland to appear pale.
N.B.
The enlargement (due to presence of inflammatory cells) in Hashimoto disease is generally diffuse but it can be slightly nodular and even asymmetric. The typical case does not show much fibrosis, though ultimately if untreated, in many cases the gland will become fibrotic and atrophied.