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Histology of Endocrine Glands - Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas, and Thymus

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the two main parts of the pituitary gland?
    The pituitary gland consists of the anterior pituitary (glandular epithelial tissue) and the posterior pituitary (nervous tissue).
  • What type of tissue composes the anterior pituitary?
    The anterior pituitary is composed of glandular epithelial tissue responsible for hormone secretion.
  • What type of tissue composes the posterior pituitary?
    The posterior pituitary is composed of nervous tissue and stores hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
  • What are pituicytes and where are they found?
    Pituicytes are specialized glial cells found in the posterior pituitary that support nerve fibers.
  • Name the main components of the thyroid gland histology.
    The thyroid gland contains follicular epithelium, colloid inside follicles, and parafollicular cells (C cells).
  • What is the function of thyroid follicular cells?
    Thyroid follicular cells produce and secrete thyroid hormones and surround the colloid in follicles.
  • What do parafollicular cells (C cells) in the thyroid gland secrete?
    Parafollicular cells secrete calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium levels.
  • What are the main zones of the adrenal cortex?
    The adrenal cortex has three zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis.
  • What hormone is primarily produced by the zona glomerulosa?
    The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone.
  • What hormone is primarily produced by the zona fasciculata?
    The zona fasciculata produces glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol.
  • What hormone is primarily produced by the zona reticularis?
    The zona reticularis produces androgens, which are sex hormone precursors.
  • What is the adrenal medulla composed of and what does it secrete?
    The adrenal medulla is composed of chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine.
  • What are the two main tissue types in the pancreas?
    The pancreas contains acinar tissue (exocrine) and pancreatic islets (endocrine).
  • What is the function of pancreatic acinar tissue?
    Pancreatic acinar tissue produces digestive enzymes secreted into ducts.
  • What cells are found in pancreatic islets and what do they secrete?
    Pancreatic islets contain alpha cells (glucagon), beta cells (insulin), and other endocrine cells.
  • What is the thymus primarily composed of histologically?
    The thymus is composed of thymic lobules with a cortex rich in maturing T-lymphocytes and a medulla containing Hassall's corpuscles.
  • What are Hassall's corpuscles?
    Hassall's corpuscles are concentric structures found in the thymic medulla involved in T-cell maturation.
  • What is the role of the thymus in the immune system?
    The thymus is essential for the maturation and differentiation of T-lymphocytes (T-cells).
  • What is the capsule in endocrine glands?
    The capsule is a connective tissue layer that surrounds endocrine glands, providing protection and structural support.
  • How can you distinguish the anterior pituitary from the posterior pituitary histologically?
    The anterior pituitary appears more cellular with glandular epithelial cells, while the posterior pituitary has fewer cells and more nerve fibers.