HISTOLOGY: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Prepared by: FRITZ VON T. GELLA, RMT, MD

College of Medicine
Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.
OVERVIEW

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 PITUITARY GLAND

Adenohypophysis

Neurohypophysis

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PITUITARY GLAND

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 PITUITARY GLAND
Posterior Pituitary hormone - does not synthesize any hormones but stores ADH and OT

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 ADH AND OT are produced in hypothalamus and only store in pituitary gland

PITUITARY GLAND ADH- came from supraoptic nuclei of hypothalamus.

OP or Oxytocin - came from Paraventricular nuclei

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

Derived from an outgrowth of oral

mucosa (Rathke’s pouch)
Connection of Rathke’s pouch with oral
cavity severed later
Part of gland that synthesizes
hormones
Sub-parts:
Pars distalis (anterior lobe)
Pars tuberalis (pars
infundibularis)
Pars intermedia (intermediate
lobe)
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PITUITARY GLAND

Sella turcica of sphenoid

bone

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 PITUITARY GLAND

Pars Intermedia

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 PITUITARY GLAND Pars nervosa is lighter staining

Pars distalis has darker staining

compare to pars nervosa. 10
PITUITARY GLAND

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 PITUITARY GLAND
IS and PN were resemble as
CNS tissue

Pars tuberalis,
pars distalis and
pars intermedia are
glandular interlevel of stain
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ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Biggest (sub)part of gland

Comprises about 75% of anterior
pituitary gland
Produces nearly all the hormones
secreted by pituitary gland
Hormones collectively referred to as
anterior pituitary hormones

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Chromophils
Acidophils (alpha cells)
Somatotrophs
-Most abundant of chromophils
-50% of epithelial cells
-Secrete Somatotropin (growth hormone)
-Affects practically all cells
Mammotrophs
-20% of epithelial cells
-Scattered singly all over lobe
-Larger secretory granules than somatotrophs
-Secretes Prolactin
-Increase in size and number in pregnancy
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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Chromophils
Basophils (beta cells)
Thyrotrophs
-5% of epithelial cells
-secretory granules
-smallest of the 5 cell types produced
by chromophils
-produce Thyrotropin (thyroid
stimulating hormone; TSH)
-TSH stimulates thyroid gland to
produce thyroid hormones

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Chromophils
Basophils (beta cells)
Corticotrophs
-20% of epithelial cells
- few secretory granules and only
slightly larger than those in
thyrotrophs
-secrete corticotropin (ACTH;
adrenocorticotropin; adreno-
corticotropic hormone) that
stimulates adrenal cortex
-Beta – lipoprotein (B-LPH)
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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Chromophils
Basophils (beta cells)
Gonadotrophs
-5% of epithelial cells
-secretory granules moderate &
variable in size
-produce gonadotropins:
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
and Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH)

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS DISTALIS

Chromophobes
No secretory granules
Comprise 65% of epithelial cells

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS TUBERALIS

Forms sleeve around pituitary stalk of

neurohypophysis
More vascular than anterior lobe
Cells, mostly gonadotrophs

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 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: PARS INTERMEDIA

Separates anterior from posterior lobe

Boundary with anterior demarcated by
groove that represents original lumen
of rathke’s pouch
Better developed in fetus; rudimentary
in adults
Has follicles (rathke’s cysts) that
contain eosinophilic colloid material
Produces melanocyte stimulating
hormone (MSH)

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 POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

From neural ectoderm

Parts: median eminence, pituitary stalk
and pars nervosa
Not really a gland (does not produce
hormones)
Secretions stored in axon terminals in
pars nervosa
Herring bodies
Aggregation of secretions
Deeply-staining
Basophilic structures

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POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

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 PINEAL GLAND

Small; cone-shaped gland

Arises as evagination of roof
of diencephalon
Base attached to roof of 3rd
ventricle by two stalks
Well-developed in children
at puberty, starts to involute

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 PINEAL GLAND

Melatonin
Hormone elaborated by
pinealocytes
Secretion is stimulated by
darkness and inhibited by light
In humans:
-blood level has diurnal pattern;
higher at night than during day
-blood level much higher in
children than adults
-it may affect circadian rhythms
and sleep patterns 29
 PINEAL GLAND HISTOLOGY

Capsule
Thin connective tissue; derived from
the pia mater
Septae incompletely divide organ into
lobules
Cells
Pinealocytes
95% of cell population
Produces melatonin
Interstitial cells
Comprise 5 % of cell population
Modified astrocytes 30
 PINEAL GLAND HISTOLOGY

Brain sand
Also known as: psammoma bodies,
corpora arenacea
Concretions of calcium and
magnesium salts
Distinctive feature of gland
Increase in number with age (but no
effect in the gland’s function)

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 THYROID GLAND

Largest endocrine gland

25-40 g in weight; slightly bigger in
women than in men
Arises as epithelial invagination at
base of tongue
Parts:
Two lateral lobes (right and left)
Isthmus

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THYROID GLAND HORMONES

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 THYROID GLAND HORMONES

1. Thyroid hormones
Regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fat and some
vitamins
Controlled by TSH from the anterior pituitary in response to
thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Thyroxine (T4) & Triiodothyronine (T3)

2. Calcitonin (thyrocalcitonin)
Synthesized and secreted by parafollicular cells
Function:
lowers blood calcium levels
inhibits bone resorption by directly suppressing osteoclasts
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 THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

Capsule
Two capsules
Outer capsule - derived from
pretracheal layer of the deep
cervical fascia
True capsule - closely invests
gland
Septae
divides organ into poorly-defined
lobules

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THYROID GLAND

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 THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

Lobules
Follicles
several comprise each lobule
spherical, cystic structures
wall formed by simple cuboidal
epithelium (usually)
colloid (homogenous, gel-like
material in cavity of follicles)

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 THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

Lobules
Follicles
several comprise each lobule
spherical, cystic structures
wall formed by simple cuboidal
epithelium (usually)
colloid (homogenous, gel-like
material in cavity of follicles)

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 THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

Cells
Follicular cells (thyrocytes)
Comprise overwhelming majority
Round nucleus that contains fine
chromatin material
Cytoplasm is slightly basophilic
Luminal surfaces are provided
with numerous microvilli not
discernible under LM

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 THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

Cells
Parafollicular cells
Also known as:
-Mitochondria-rich cells
-C cells
-Clear cells
0.1% of cell population
scattered singly or in small groups
in epithelium
much bigger & lighter-staining
than follicular cells

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THYROID GLAND HISTOLOGY

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 PARATHYROID GLAND

Usually 2 pairs (superior and inferior)

Yellowish-brown, tiny, ovoid bodies
attached to posterior surface of
thyroid gland
Lie within capsule of thyroid gland
Origin:
Inferior parathyroid glands arise
from third pharyngeal pouch
together with thymus
Superior parathyroid glands arise
from fourth pharyngeal pouch and
attach themselves to thyroid
glands 42
 PARATHYROID GLAND

Capsule
Thin connective tissue
Septae incompletely subdivide gland
into lobules
Parenchyma
Epithelial cells: in cords and clusters
Capillaries: numerous
Adipose cells: at age 25, comprise
about 30% of volume of gland up to
50% in older individual
Follicles: occasionally present in
older individuals, resemble the
thyroid gland 43
 PARATHYROID GLAND

EPITHELIAL CELLS
Chief (principal) cells
Majority of the cells
Relatively small (8-10 μm in
diameter)
Polyhedral; homogeneous cytoplasm
is faintly eosinophilic
Elaborate and secrete parathyroid
hormone (PTH)

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 PARATHYROID GLAND

EPITHELIAL CELLS
Oxyphil cells (acidophil cells)
Appear shortly before puberty
Increase in number with age
Occur singly or in clusters
Bigger than chief cells but nuclei
slightly smaller
Cytoplasm with many acidophilic
granules and hence, intensely
eosinophilic
Nonsecretory and function is
unknown
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PARATHYROID GLAND

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 PARATHYROID GLAND

PARATHYROID HORMONE
Only hormone produced by parathyroid
gland
Secreted by chief cells
Most important regulator of blood
calcium level

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 ADRENAL GLAND

Other name: Suprarenal gland

Paired (left and right), flat, pyramidal
organs
On upper pole of kidneys
Each weighs about 5 g and 50 mm long
or high, 30 mm wide and 10 mm thick
Hilus
indentation at middle of
anteromedial aspect
where adrenal vein leaves gland
(note: adrenal arteries enter gland
through capsule)
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ADRENAL GLAND

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ADRENAL GLAND

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 ADRENAL GLAND

CAPSULE
Relatively thick
Collagenous connective tissue; rich in
reticular fibers
Elements penetrate gland up to
medulla

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX
Outer area
Completely surrounds medulla
Mesodermal origin
Essential for life
80-90% of adrenal gland
produce steroid hormones
(adrenocortical hormones)

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA
Ectodermal origin
Not essential for life

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: LAYERS

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: LAYERS

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA GLOMERULOSA

15% of cortex
Rounded or pyramidal cells arranged
in irregular ovoid clusters
Cell clusters separated by sinusoids
that are supported by fine connective
tissue septae
Cells:
Deeply-staining nucleus with one
or two nucleoli
Cytoplasm is scanty and
eosinophilic
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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA GLOMERULOSA

HORMONES
Mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone
Hormone produced by cells of this
zona
Increases Na+ reabsorption by
collecting tubules of kidney
Control of aldosterone secretion
o mainly by RAAS
o secondarily by corticotropin
(ACTH) from anterior
pituitary
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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA FASCICULATA

Thickest layer (78%) of adrenal cortex
Cells form long, thin (usually one-cell
thick), straight cords arranged
perpendicular to capsule
Cords separated by sinusoids that are
supported by fine connective tissue
septae

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA FASCICULATA

Cells: (also called spongiocytes)
Large, polyhedral
Vesicular nucleus with prominent
nucleolus
Abundant, faintly-basophilic
cytoplasm
Cytoplasm vacuolated because of
many lipid droplets

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA FASCICULATA

HORMONES
Glucocorticoids
Hormones produced by cells of
this zona
Mainly cortisol and corticosterone
Regulate carbohydrate, lipid and
protein metabolism
Primary regulator of the activity of
cells of zona fasciculata is
corticotropin (ACTH) from
anterior pituitary
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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA RETICULARIS

Innermost and thinnest layer (7% of
volume of cortex)
Cells small and arranged in short
anastomosing cords
Between cords are sinusoids
Cells:
Histologically similar to cells of
zona fasciculata but less
vacuolated (less lipid droplets)
and nucleus stain more intensely

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA RETICULARIS

HORMONES
Primary regulator of activity of cells
of this zone is corticotropin (ACTH)
from the anterior pituitary
Gonadotropins do not affect cells of
zona reticularis
A small quantity of glucocorticoids
(cortisol and corticosterone)

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL CORTEX: ZONA RETICULARIS

HORMONES
Androgens dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA) and androstenedione
Activity less than 20% those of
testicular androgens
Not enough to induce
masculinization of women

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA
Comprises only 10-20% of adrenal
gland
Thin region completely surrounded by
cortex
Central part with large medullary
veins that drain entire gland

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA
Cells:
Chromaffin cells
most of adrenal medulla consist of
these cells
arranged in groups or thick cords that
are surrounded by sinusoids and
richly supplied with nerves
all are associated with endings of
preganglionic sympathetic neurons
polyhedral parenchymal cells
large, darkly-staining nucleus
basophilic cytoplasm 65
 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA
Cells:
Ganglion cells (neurons)
neurons scattered among chromaffin
cells

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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA SECRETIONS

Three kinds of cathecolamines
Epinephrine (adrenaline):
secreted by 90% of chromaffin
cells
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline):
secreted by 10% of chromaffin
cells
o Stronger chromaffin reaction
o Granules more electron dense
Dopamine: cells that secrete this
have not been identified yet
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 ADRENAL GLAND

ADRENAL MEDULLA SECRETIONS

Chromaffin cells also synthesize a
wide-variety of:
Bioactive amines
Peptides

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ADRENAL GLAND: SUMMARY

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 PANCREAS

an elongated organ
(approximately 15 cm) which
lies obliquely across the
posterior abdominal wall at
the level of the L1 and L2
vertebral bodies
both an exocrine and an
endocrine gland
both endocrine and exocrine
components are in the lobules

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Stroma
- Capsule - thin layer of
connective tissue
- Septa - divide gland into
indistinct lobules
Parenchyma
- Glandular epithelium

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Exocrine portion
• Compound tubuloalveolar
(tubuloacinous) gland
• Secretes pancreatic juice
- About 1.2 liters a day
- contains digestive enzymes for
protein, carbohydrate and
fat digestion

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Exocrine portion
• Occupies 98% of lobule
• Secretory portions are called
pancreatic acini

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Pancreatic acinus
- 40-50 / acinus
- closely-packed low
columnar or pyramidal cells
- rest on basal lamina
- Synthesize enzymatic
components of pancreatic
juice in rER
- Nucleus: round with
one or more nucleoli
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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Pancreas: Ducts
Intralobular ducts
- Intercalated duct: drains an acinus, squamous or low cuboidal epithelium
Interlobular ducts
- Union of intercalated ducts
• Pancreatic ducts
- Union of interlobular duct
- Lined by simple columnar epithelium

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Pancreas: Ducts

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Pancreas: Ducts

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Endocrine portion
- only 2% of pancreas
- Islets of Langerhans

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans
Aggregations of pale-staining
cells (in H & E preparations)
scattered throughout darker
staining cells of exocrine
pancreas
Combined volume = only 2%
of pancreas
More numerous in tail than in
body or head of gland

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans
Each islet has 2 to 3 thousand
cells that form a compact mass
Polygonal
Polarized toward the capillaries
into which they discharge their
secretions

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell

Types
Not distinguishable in H & E
Distinguished from each
other by employing special
staining,
immunocytochemistry
techniques and EM (by
structure of secretory
granules)
Each cell type secretes a
different hormone 81
 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell Types

Alpha cell (A cell)
About 20% of islet cells
Large cell and most occupy peripheral areas of islet
Electron-dense secretory granules of uniform size
Secretes glucagon
o Acts on several tissues to make energy stored in
glycogen and fat available through glycogenolysis
and lipolysis
o Increase blood glucose content

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HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell Types

Beta cell (B cell)
Most numerous, 60-75% of islet cells
Most are in central area of islets
Smallest of the cells of islet
Secretory granules smaller and less electron dense than
a cell
Secretes insulin
o Cause entry of glucose into cells
o Promotes decrease of blood glucose content

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HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell Types

Delta cell (D cell)
Only about 5% of islet cell population
Scattered singly all over islets
Largest of islet cells
Secretory granules similar to a cells but less electron
dense
Secretes somatostatin

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell Types

Delta cell (D cell)
Secretes somatostatin
Also produced by some cells of digestive tract and
hypothalamus
But, physiologic effect of hypothalamic somatostatin
different
Inhibits release of other islet cell hormones
Inhibit release of growth hormone and TSH in anterior
pituitary
Inhibit HCI secretion by gastric parietal cells
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HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

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 HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Islets of Langerhans: Cell Types

F cell (PP cell)
Rare
Widely scattered and sometimes occurs among the
pancreatic acini
Secretory granules irregular in shape and variable electron
density
Secretes pancreatic polypeptide
o Stimulate activity of gastric chief cells
o Inhibits bile secretion
o Inhibit pancreatic enzyme and bicarbonate secretion
o Inhibit intestinal motility 89
HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

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