| Lab 22 Endocrine System: 1) Index 2) Introduction 3) Things to Identify 4) Pituitary Gland 5)Thyroid Gland 6) Parathyroid Gland 7) Adrenal Cortex 8) Adrenal Medulla 9) Pineal Gland 10) Practical |
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Parathyroid
Gland
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| # 159 - Parathyroid gland, human, H&E, 1.5mm |
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The parathyroid gland consists of rice-sized structures (usually four) embedded in the tissue of the thyroid gland. This gland produces parathyrod hormone and helps regulate calcium levels. Most of the cells in the parathyroid gland are principle or chief cells which are arranged as random ribbons or cords of cells. In appearance, chief cells look much like lymphocytes as they are dark, polygonal in shape and have prominent, round nuclei. The larger cell type in the parathyroid gland is the paler oxyphil cell. These cells can be found in clusters in the center of the section and at the periphery. Note their relatively large size and small darkly, staining nuclei. Oxyphil cells are eosinophilic, having abundant mitochondria. Their number increases with age, although their function is as of yet unknown. Cells which are intermediate in size to the chief and oxyphil cell populations may also be visible. Observe the blood vessels in this organ and the numerous adipose cells. What is the function of parathyroid hormone? REFERENCES: Gartner, p. 208, Fig. 3Ross, p. 628, Fig. 1 DiFiore, pp. 270 - 271 Wheater, pp. 312 - 313 |
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Here is an image taken from the Thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands are buried with in the thyroid gland. The blue arrows are pointing to the region of the image that is still part of the thyroid, and the yellow arrows are pointing to the beginning of the Parathyroid Glands. Notice that you lose the characteristic follicles of the thyroid and you get the very cellular characteristic of the parathyroid gland. Blue arrows - Thyroid Gland Yellow arrows - Parathyroid Gland
This is an image of the Parathyroid Glands. It is made up of two types of cells. Chief or Principle cells make up the region of the image indicated by the yellow arrows. The red arrows are indicating the region of the image that is made up of the other cell type which are the Oxyphil cells. These cells look very puffy, like the ones of the corpus luteum. These two cells types contrast against each other is the characteristic look of the parathyroid gland. Red arrows - Oxyphil Cells Yellow arrow - Chief Cells
This is a high power image of the two cell types of the parathyroid gland. The blue arrows are pointing to the Oxyphil cells. Notice their characteristic "puffy" appearance. The red arrows are pointing to the Chief Cells which make up the rest of the gland. Blue arrows - Oxyphil cells Red arrows - Chief Cells
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Parathyroid & Thyroid Transition
Parathyroid Gland
Chief & Oxyphil cells |
