Histology-World!

Histology Fact Sheet-Endocrine System

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a system of cellular communication. The means of communication is via
hormones. The hormones are secreted by ductless glands directly into the bloodstream. Generally, the
response to hormones is non-localized.

If a gland secretes its product through a duct, it is an exocrine gland.

Hormones can have a variety of structures. Hormones which are proteins include insulin and prolactin.
Peptide chains are short chains of amino acids. Examples of hormones which are peptide chains are
antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. Steroid hormones are cholesterol derivatives. Steroid hormones
include testosterone and estradiol. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamines.

In addition to glands with the primary role of producing hormones, several other organs have an
endocrine component.

Pituitary

The pituitary is nicknamed the master gland. The infundibulum connects the pituitary to the
hypothalamus.

The pituitary can be subdivided into the neurohypophysis. and the adenohypophysis.
The neurohypophysis can be further sub-divided into the pars nervosa, infundibular stalk, and median
eminence. The pars nervosa is the posterior lobe. The neurohypophysis secretes two hormones:
oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone.

The adenohypophysis can be further sub-divided into the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars
tuberalis. The pars distalis is the anterior lobe of the pituitary. The adenohypophysis (more specifically,
the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis) secretes tropic hormones. Tropic hormones affect cellular
activity in their target organ.

There are several cell types in the pars distalis (anterior pituitary). Lactotropic cells secrete prolactin.
Thyrotropic cells secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Somatotropic cells secrete growth
hormone. Corticotropic cells secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating
hormone (MSH). Gonadotropic cells secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone
(LH).

The cells of the pars distalis (anterior pituitary) can be classified as acidophils or basophils depending on
their affinity for acid or basic dyes, respectively. The acidophils are the somatotropic cells and the
lactotropic cells. Thus, growth hormone and prolactin are secreted by acidophilic cells. The basophils are
the gonadotropic cells, corticotropic cells and thyrotropic cells. Thus, the basophils secrete FSH, LH,
ACTH, and TSH.

Histology hint Sarah Bellham: There are two mnemonics to use when thinking of acidophils and
basophils of the anterior pituitary.

"GPA" (growth hormone and prolactin are secreted by the acidophils).

"B-FLAT" (basophils secrete FSH, LH, ACTH, and TSH).

Pineal

The pineal gland secretes melatonin. The cells of the pineal gland called pinealocytes. There are also glial
cells in the pineal gland. Corpora arenacea is nicknamed "brain sand". Corpora arenacea is calcification
seen in the pineal gland.

Thyroid

The thyroid gland secretes the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and calcitonin. When looking at the
histology it can be seen that there are two cell types in the thyroid: follicular cells and parafollicular
cells. Follicular cells release and store thyroid hormone. Parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland are also
called C cells. They secrete calcitonin.

Read more about the thyroid here.

Parathyroid

When looking at the histology it can be seen that there are two cell types in the parathyroid gland:
principal cells and oxyphil cells. Principal cells are also called chief cells. Principal cells are the more
prevalent. Oxyphil cells are also found in the parathyroid gland; however they are not as prevalent as
principal cells.

Pancreas
The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine organ.

The endocrine portion of the pancreas is housed in the islets of Langerhans. Islets of Langerhans are
visible on a histology slide. Islets of Langerhans are most numerous in the tail of the pancreas. Within
the islets, there are several cell types. The alpha cells secrete glucagon. The beta cells secrete insulin.
The delta cells secrete somatostatin.

The acini is the exocrine portion of the pancreas.

Read more about the pancreas here.

Adrenal Gland

The adrenal gland is composed of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.

The layers of the adrenal cortex, from outermost to innermost are: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata,
and zona reticularis. The respective principle products are: mineralocorticods, glucocorticoids, and sex
steroids.

The cells of the adrenal medulla are chromaffin cells. They secrete the catecholamines (epinephrine and
norepinephrine).

Read more about the adrenal gland here.

Testis

Sertoli cells are directly involved in spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells produce inhibin and androgen-binding
protein. They are also called "sustentacular cells" or "nurse cells".

The interstitial cells of Leydig produce testosterone. These are also called "interstitial cells"
or"interstitial cells of Leydig".

Ovary

Estrogen and progesterone are secreted by the ovary.

Read more about the ovary here.

Placenta

The placenta secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

Thymus

The thymus produces thymosin. Thymosin plays a role in the development of the immune system.

Stomach

The gastric mucosa produces a hormone called gastrin. Gastrin stimulates the production of
hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

Small Intestine

Secretin and cholecystokinin are produced and secreted by the small intestine. Secretin stimulates the
pancreas to produce bicorbanate rich fluid. Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates the gallbladder to
contract. and the pancreas to secrete digestive enzyme.

Heart

There is an endocrine component to the heart. This is in addition to its obvious function of the pump for
blood. Specialized cells produce atrial natriiuretic hormone, or atriopeptin.

Histology - World! Histology Fact Sheet-Pituitary

The pituitary gland is also called the hypophysis.

The pituitary is about about 1 centimeter in diameter. The pituitary gland is almost completely
surrounded by bone within the skull as it rests in the sella turcica.

The pituitary can be subdivided into the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.

Adenohypophysis
The adenohypophysis can be further subdivided into the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars
tuberalis. The pars distalis is the anterior lobe of the pituitary. The adenohypophysis is regulated by
releasing hormones from the hypothalamus.

The adenohypophysis (more specifically, the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis or anterior pituitary)
secretes tropic hormones.

On a histology slide, it is apparent that there are several cell types in the pars distalis of the
adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary).

The cells of the pars distalis (anterior pituitary) can be classified as acidophils or basophils depending on
their affinity for acidic histology dyes or basic histology dyes, respectively. The acidophils are the
somatotropic cells and the lactotropic cells. Thus, growth hormone and prolactin are secreted by
acidophilic cells. The basophils are the gonadotropic cells, corticotropic cells and thyrotropic cells. Thus,
the basophils secrete FSH, LH, ACTH, and TSH.

Lactotropic cells secrete prolactin. Thyrotropic cells secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Somatotropic cells secrete growth hormone. Corticotropic cells secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Gonadotropic cells secrete follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

Histology hint Sarah Bellham: there are two mnemonics to use when thinking of acidophils and
basophils of the anterior pituitary.

"GPA" (growth hormone and prolactin are secreted by the acidophils).

"B-FLAT" (basophils secrete FSH, LH, ACTH, and TSH).

Growth Hormone

Growth hormone stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and other organs.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormone.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Leutenizing Hormone (LH)

FSH and LH regulate the ovaries or testes.

Prolactin

Prolactin hormone fosters the development of the female breast during pregnancy as well as milk
production during lactation.

Neurohypophysis
The neurohypophysis can be further subdivided into the pars nervosa, infundibular stalk, and median
eminence. The pars nervosa is the posterior lobe. The infundibulum connects the pituitaryto the
hypothalamus. The neurohypophysis is regulated by nervous stimulation.

The posterior lobe of the pituitary secretes two hormones: antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is involved in water reabsorption by the kidney.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin causes uterine contractions. Oxytocin also stimulates "milk let down" from the lactating breast.

Histology-World! Histology Fact Sheet-Adrenal Gland

Adrenal Gland

The adrenal gland is found on the upper portion of each kidney. Because of where the adrenal gland is
located, the adrenal gland is also called the suprarenal gland.

The adrenal gland is composed of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex and the medulla are
derived from different embryonic tissues. The cortex and the medulla each produce and release their
own type of hormones. The adrenal cortex is essential to life, but the adrenal medulla is not essential to
life.

The hypothalamus of the brain has an effect on both regions of the adrenal gland. The adrenal cortex is
regulated by a negative feedback loop involving the hypothalamus and the pituitary hormone
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Nervous impulses from the hypothalamus regulate the adrenal
medulla.

Histology of the Adrenal Cortex

Upon examining the histology, it can be seen that the adrenal cortex consists of three different regions.
Each region produces a different type of hormone. The adrenal cortical hormones are all steroids.
The layers of the adrenal cortex, from the external side of the gland going deeper are: zona glomerulosa,
zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. The layers can be visualized on a histology slide. The respective
hormones of each zone are: mineralocorticods (such as aldosterone), glucocorticoids (such as cortisol),
and sex steroids.

Mineralocorticoids are secreted by the outermost region of the adrenal cortex, the zona glomerulosa.
The main mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Aldosterone works on the kidney to conserves sodium ions
and water in the body.

Glucocorticoids are secreted by the middle region of the adrenal cortex, the zona fasciculata. The
principal glucocorticoid is cortisol. Cortisol increases blood glucose levels.

The innermost region of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis, secretes sex hormones. The action of
the sex steroids secreted by the adrenal gland is usually overshadowed by the hormones secreted from
the gonads (testes and ovaries). In women, the masculinization effect of adrenal androgen secretion
may become visible after menopause, when ovarian estrogen secretion decreases.

Adrenal Gland

The outer connective tissue capsule is visible on this histology slide of the adrenal gland. There is a
cortex and medulla. The three layers of the cortex are not sharply demarcated. On the periphery of this
histology slide is adipose tissue.

Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: A mnemonic to remember the layers of the adrenal cortex and their
respective products is:

"Go Find Rex; Make Good Sex"

(glomerulosa, fasciculata, reticularis)
(mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, sex steroids).

Histology of the Adrenal Medulla

The adrenal medulla is the inner portion of the adrenal gland.

The adrenal medulla develops from neural tissue. The cells of the adrenal medulla are chromaffin cells.
They secrete the catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). These two hormones are secreted
in response to stimulation by sympathetic nerves, especially during "flight or fright" situations.

Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It lies just below the larynx. A thin capsule surrounds the
thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is made of two lobes. The two lobes of the thyroid are connected by the
isthmus. The thyroid gland is a very vascular gland.

Histology of the Thyroid Gland

Upon examining the histology, it can be seen that the thyroid gland is composed of follicles.

Follicles are lined by a single layer of epithelial cells. They are filled with an amorphous colloidal
material.

There are two cell types in the thyroid gland: follicular cells and parafollicular cells. Follicular cells
release and store thyroid hormone. Parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland are also called C cells. The
parafollicular cells secrete calcitonin.
Histology slide of thyroid
Histology slide courtesy of Education Interactive Histology Photo CD

Hormones of the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland secretes the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and calcitonin.

(1) histology slide of thyroid (low

magnification)

(2) histology slide of thyroid (high

magnification)

Thyroid

On these histology slides, the thyroid follicles are visible. Acidophilic colloid within the follicles is
present. On histology slide (2) the simple cuboidal epithelium that lines the follicle is visible. On
histology slide (2), the parafollicular cells (C cells) are apparent

PANCREAS
The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine

organ.

The duct of Wirsung is the pancreatic duct. The opening of the pancreatic duct into the duodenum is at
the ampulla of Vater.

Histology of the Exocrine Pancreas

The exocrine portion of the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes. These enzymes go through a duct to
enter into the duodenum. The acini is the exocrine portion of the pancreas.

Histology of Endocrine Pancreas

The endocrine portion of the pancreas secretes hormones. On a histology slide, the endocrine portion
of the pancreas can be seen as the Islets of Langerhans. Islets of Langerhans occur most frequently in
the tail of the pancreas. Within the islets, there are several cell types. The alpha cells secrete glucagon.
The beta cells secrete insulin. The delta cells secrete somatostain.

Glucagon is released in response to a low concentration of glucose in the blood. Insulin is released in
response to a high concentration of glucose in the blood.
Histology slide of the pancreas

(1) histology slide of pancreas

(2) histology slide of pancreas

(3) histology slide of pancreas (high

magnification)

(4) histology slide of pancreas (high

magnification)

Pancreas

These ares histology sides of pancreas. Note the islets of Langerhans and serous acini. Ducts are also
visible on histology slides (1) and (2).

PARATHYROID GLAND

There are four parathyroid glands. These are located on the posterior surface of the thyroid glands.

Each parathyroid is enclosed in a capsule. The capsule has trabecueae which go into the gland.
Upon examing the histology, it can be seen that there are two cell types in the parathyroid gland:
principal cells and oxyphil cells. Principal cells are also called chief cells. On a histology slide, principal
cells are the more abundant. Oxyphil cells are also found in the parathyroid gland; however they are not
as prevalent as principal cells. The oxyphil cells are larger than the principal cells.