TOPIC 3:HISTOLOGY

I. GENERAL OBJECTIVE
After finishing laboratory activity, the students will have a comprehensive
knowledge about microstructure histology of endocrine glands
II. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
At the end of laboratory activity, the students will be able to :
1. Analyze the structural differences within the anterior and posterior lobes
associated with their functions.
2. Explain the microscopical structure of pituitary gland: type of cells and
their characteristics of adenohypophysis, general microstructure of
neurohypophysis.
3. Explain the microscopical structure thyroid gland: type of cells and their
characteristics
4. Explain the microscopical structure of pancreas gland: islet of
Langerhans
5. Analyze the structural differences betwen endocrine and exocrine
structure in pancreas. Explain microstructure of islet of langerhans and 4
type cells.
6. Explain the microscopical structure of adrenal gland: cortical zones,
medulla
Methods
a.
Presentation
b.
Self directed learning
Laboratory facilities
a.
Biomedical Laboratory
b.
Tutors/trainers
c.
Models : Atlas, Posters, Preparats, Microscopes
d.
Student Learning Guide
e.
Trainers Guide
f.
References
Venue
Biomedical Laboratory
Evaluation
a.
Point nodal evaluation
b.
Laboratory examination
References:
1. Embriology
2. Anatomy
3. Histology

HYPOPHYSIS
GAMBAR 1. HYPOHYSIS

Adenohypoph
ysis

Neurohypoph
ysis

Pars

Pituitary pars anterior

posterior
(adenohypophysis)
(neurohypophysis)

Infudibulu

Pituitary pars

Gambar 2

The pituitary gland is suspended by a stalk from the hypothalamus at

the base of the diencephalons. It rests in a saddlelike depression in the
sphenoid bone called the sella tursica, behind the optic chiasm. Its 2 major
divisions,
the
anterior
adenohypophysis
and
the
posterior
neurohypophysis, differ in embryonic origin, structure, and function.
Adenohypophysis
The adenohypophysis is composed of cords of glandular ephitelial cells
separated by the numerous sinusoidal capillaries of the secondary plexus.

It is not directly innervated by hypothalamic nerves, but only by

autonomic fibers from the carotid plexus.
Gambar 4. Adenohypophysis 1000X

Neurohypophysis
The infudibulum consists of the infudibular stem (neural stalk) and
the median eminence. The stem carries axons from the hypothalamus to the
pars nervosa and contains capillary loops of the primary capillary plexus. The
median eminence of the tuber cinereum forms the floor of the
hypothalamus. The pars nervosa (infudibular process) is the expanded
lobe of the neurohypophysis; it contains axon terminals and numerous
capillaries.
Gambar 5. Nerohypophysis 1000x

ADENOHYPOPHYSIS
A.

Pars Distalis:
1. Chromophobes. These cells stain poorly and appear clear or white in
tissue sections. These stellate cells may have some phagocytic
functions.
2. Chromophils. There is a specipic cell type for each hormone. Usually
larger than chromophobes, chromophils are subdivided into 2 classes:
a. Acidophils. These cells secrete simple proteins. They stain
intensely with eosin and orange G, but not with PAS. More abundant
in the periphery of the gland, they are usually smaller than
basophils and their granules are larger and more numerous. The
acidophils include 2 major types of hormone-secreting cells:
somatotropes,
which produce
growth
hormone
(GH,
somatotropin), and mammotropes, which produce prolactin.
(A simple mnemonic device for remembering the hormones
secreted by acidophils is GPA growth hormone, proplactin,
acidphils.)
b. Basophils. More abundant in he core of the gland, they are usually
larger than acidophils, with fewer and smaller granules. The 3
major types of hormone producing basophils:

Each of the 2 types of gonadotropes produces a different

gonadotropin. One produces follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH); the other produces luteinizing hormone (LH; called
interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males).

Corticotropes produce adrenocorticotropin (ACTH).

Thyrotropes produce
hormone, TSH).

thyrotropin

(thyroid-stimulating

B.

Pars Tuberalis: This funnel-shaped superior extension of the pars

distalis surrounds the infundibular stem. Its histology is similar to the pars
distalis, but it contains mostly gonadotropes. The pars tuberalis contains
many capillaries of the primary capillary plexus of the hypophyseal portal
system(lihat gambar 1)

C.

Pars Intermedia: This is a band or wedge of adenohypophysis between

the pars distalis and pars nervosa; it is rudimentary in humans. It contains
Rathkes cysts, small, irregular, colloid-containing cavities lined with
cuboidal epithelium that are the remnants or Rathkes pouch. It also
contains scattered clumps and cords of basophilic cells, or melanotropes,
which secrete melanocyte-stimulating hormone (-MSH).

NEUROHYPOPHYSIS
The neurohypophysis has 3 major structural components: axons,
capillaries, and pituicytes.
A.

Axons of Neurosecretory Cells: The neurohypophysis stains

poorly if at all. It contains many unmyelinated axons whose cell bodies
(soma) are located mainly in the supraoptic and paraventricular
nuclei of the hypothalamus. Axons passing from these nuclei to the pars
nervosa are together termed the hypothalamohypophyseal tract. The
axons contain neurosecretory granules and exhibit large granule filled
dilations called Herring bodies. The neurosecretory materials in these
granules, synthesized and packaged in the above mentioned cell bodies,
include the following products:
1.

Neurohypophyseal hormone. The hypothalamic neurons that

terminate in the neurohypophysis release oxytocin and antidiuretic
hormone around the capillaries in this part of the pituitary. Oxytocin
is a 9-amino-acid peptide synthesized mainly by cells of the
paraventricular nucleus. It stimulates milk ejection by the mammary
glands and stimulates the contraction of uterine smooth muscle
during copulation and childbirth. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH,
arginine vasopressin) is 9-amino-acid peptide synthesized mainly
by cells in the supraoptic nucleus. It stimulates water resorption by
the renal medullary collecting ducts and contraction of vascular
smooth muscle.

2.

Neurophysin is a binding
neurohypophyseal hormones.

3.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) acts as a source of chemical

energy for the neurosecretory process.

protein

that

complexes

with

B.

Fenestrated Capillary Plexus: Surrounding the axon

terminals in the pars nervosa, these capillaries pick up the neurosecretory
products and convey them to the general circulation.

C.

Pituicytes: These are highly branched glial cells whose

processes surround and support the unmyelinated axons.

Pituicyt
es

Capillar
y

Histology of thyroid

Kelenjar
Thyroid

Parathyr
oid

Gambar. Kelenjar Tiroid dan Parathyroid 40X

Thyroid tissue is composed of thousands of follicles that consist of spheres formed

by simple epithelium whose lumen contains a gelatinous substance called colloid. In
sections, follicular cells range from squamous to columnar and the collicles have an
extremely variable diameter. The gland is covered by a loose connective tissue capsule
that sends septa into the parenchyma. As these septa gradually become thinner they
reach all the follicles, separated from one another by fine, irregular connective tissue
composed mainly of reticular fibers. The thyroid is an extremely vascularized organ, with
an exensive blood and lymphatic capillary network surrounding the follicles. Endothelial
cells of these capillaries are fenestrated, as they are in other endocrine glands. This
configuration facilitates the transport of molecules between the gland cells the blood
capillaries.
The morphologic appearance of thyroid follicles varies according to the region of
the gland and its functional activity. In the same gland, larger follicles that are full of colloid
and have a cuboidal or squamous epithelium are found alongside follicles that are lined by
columnar epithelium. Despite this variation, the gland is considered hypoactive when the
average composition of these follicles is squamous. Thyrotropin stimulates the synthesis
of thyroid hormone, increases the height of the follicular epithelium, and decreases the
quantity of the colloid and the size of the follicles. The cells membrane of the basal portion
of follicular cells is rich in receptors for thyrotropin.
The thyroid epithelium rests on a basal lamina. The follicular epithelium exhibits all
the characteristics of a cell that simultaneously synthesizes, secretes, absorbs, and
digests proteins. The basal part of these cells is rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum. The
nucleus is generally round and situated in the center of the cell. The apical pole has a
discrete Golgi complex and small secretory granules with the morphologic characteristics

of follicular colloid. Abundant lysosomes, 0.5-0.6 m in diameter, and some large

phagosomes are found in this region. Mitochondria and cisternae of rough endoplasmic
reticulum are dispersed throughout the cytoplasm.

Koloi
d

Sel
Folikel

Sel
Parafolikula
Gambar. Folikel Thyroid
1000x

Another type of cell, the parafollicular, of C cell, is found as part of the follicular
epithelium or as isolated clusters between thyroid follicles. Parafollicular cells are
somewhat larger than thyroid follicular cells and stain less intensely. They have a small
amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum, long mitochondria, and a large Golgi complex.
The most striking feature of these cells is their numerous small granules containing
hormone. These cells are responsible for the synthesis and secretion of calcitonin, a
hormone whose main effect is to lower blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption.
Secretion of calcitonin is triggered by an elevation in blood calcium concentration.

Histology of parathyroid

The parathyroids are 4 small glands 3x6 mm with a total weight of about 0.4 g.
They are located behind the thyroid gland, one at each end of the upper and lower poles,
usually in the capsule that covers the lobes of the thyroid. Sometimes they are embedded
in the thyroid gland.
Each parathyroid gland is contained within a connective tissue capsule. These
capsules send septa into the glands, where they merge with the reticular fibers that
support elongated cordlike clusters of secretory cells.
The endocrine cells of the parathyroid are arranged in cords. There are 2 types of
cells: the chief, or principal, cells and the oxyphil cells.

Capsul
a

Zona
Glomerulosa

Zona
Fasciculata

Zona
Reticularis

Medull
a
Gambar. Adrenal 40x
The chief cells are small polygonal cells with a vesicular nucleus and a pale staining,
slightly acidophilic cytoplasm. Electron microscopy shows irregularly shaped granules
(200-400 nm in diameter) in their cytoplasm. They are the secretory granules containing
parathyroid hormone, which is a polypeptide in its active form. Oxyphil cells constitute a
smaller population. They are larger polygonal cells, and their cytoplasm contains many
acidophilic mitochondria with abundant cristae. The function of the oxyphil cells is not
known.
With increasing age, secretory cells are replaced with adipocytes. Adipose cells
constitute more than 50% of the gland in older people.

Gambar Cortex Adrenal 100X

ADRENAL (SUPRARENAL) GLANDS
The gland consists of 2 concentric layers: a yellow peripheral layer, the arenal
cortex; and a reddish-brown central layer, the adrenal medulla
Adrenal Cortex
Because of the differences in disposition and appearance of its cells, the adrenal
cortex can be subdivided into 3 concentric layers whose limits are usually not sharply
defined in humans: the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculate, and the zona
reticularis. These layers occupy 15 %, 65 %, and 7 %, respectively, of the total volume of
the adrenal glands.
The layer immediately beneath the connective tissue capsule is the zona
glomerulosa, in which columnar or pyramidal cells are arranged in closely, packed, or
arched cords surrounded by capillaries.
The next layer of cells is known as the zona fasciculata because of the
arrangement of the cells in straight cords, one or two cells thick, that run at right angles to
the surface of the organ and have capillaries between them. The cells of the zona
fasciculate are polyhedral, with a great number of lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. As a
result of the dissolution of the lipids during tissue preparation, the fasciculate cells appear
vacuolated in common histologic preparations. Because of their vacuolization, the cells of
the fasciculate are also called spongyocytes.

Spongiocyt
es

Gambar zona Fasciculata 1000X (tampak sel dengan gambaran sponge di sitoplasma)
The zona reticularis, the innermost layer of the cortex, lies between the zona
fasciculata and the medulla; it contains cells disposed in irregular cords that form an
anastomosing network. These cells are smaller than those of the other two layers.
Lipofuscin pigment granules in the cells are large and quite numerous. Irregularly shaped
cells with pycnotic nuclei-suggesting cell death-are often found in this layer.
Cells of the adrenal cortex do not store their secretory products in granules; rather,
they synthesize and secrete steroid hormones only upon demand. Steroids, being lowmolecular-weight lipid-soluble molecules, can freely diffuse through the plasma membrane
and do not require the specialized process of exocytosis for their relese. Cells of the
adrenal cortex have the typical ultrastructure of steroid-secreting cells.
Cortical Hormones & Their Actions
The steroids secreted by the cortex can be divided into 3 groups, according to their
main physiologic actions: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrogens. The
zona glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone, that maintain
electrolyte (eg, sodium and potassium) and water balance. The zona fasciculate and
probably the zona reticularis secrete the glucocorticoids cortisone and cortisol or, in some
animals, corticorterone; these glucocorticoids regulate carbohydrate, protein, and fat
metabolism. These zones also produce an drogens (mainly dehydroepiandrosterone) and
perhaps estrogens in small amounts.

HISTOLOGY OF ISLET OF LANGERHANS

Islet of
Langerhans

Islet of Langerhans 400x

Islet Of Langerhans 1000X

The islets of Langerhans are the endocrine portion of the pancreas and secrete
glucagons (alpha cells), insulin (beta cells), somatostatin (delta cells), and pancreatic
polypeptide (PP cells).
In the past, empirical staining methods were used to demonstrate the different cell
types in the islets of Langerhans. These have now been superseded by the
immunoperoxidase technique which is able to detect specific intercellular products, in this
case insulin and glucagons. The insulin-producing beta cells, which constitute over 60% of

the cells in the islet, are stained brown in micrograph. Beta cells are distributed throughout
the islet while in contrast, glucagons-producing alpha cells (about 25% of the total) are
arranged around the periphery. Other hormone-producing cells are unstained in these
micrographs. The close proximity of these cells facilitates their interaction for control of
blood glucose levels and other metabolic function.