HHIS 221: Human histology

2nd Year|2nd Semester| A.Y 2022 – 2023

Week 10: ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)

- Base of the brain (sella turcica) of the Basophils;
sphenoid bone
Gonadotrophs
- Hypo means under
- Physis means growth - Secretes FSH and LH
- Weigh about 0.5g - Large, round, granular
- deep purple-black cytoplasm
Thyrotrophs
NEUROHYPOPHYSIS OR POSTERIOR
PITUITARY GLAND - Secretes TSH
- Small, angular, oval nucleus,
Oxytocin
- Very dense deep purple-black granular
- Stimulates contractions of the uterus during cytoplasm
labor
- Causes milk ejection
Pars Tuberalis
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- smaller funnel shaped region surrounding
- Can inhibit urine production
around infundibulum
- In large amounts, causes vasoconstriction
- highly vascular rise
leading to increased blood pressure
- most of the cells of the Pars Tuberalis is
(vasopressin)
Gonadotrophs

ADENOHYPOPHYSIS OR ANTERIOR
Pars Intermedia
PITUITARY GLAND
- Narrow zone between the Pars Distalis and
Pars Distalis – 70% of Adenohypophysis
the Pars Nervosa
Chromophobe Cells - affinity for standard - Contains with Basophilic cells
histological dyes. - Line with the simple cuboidal epithelium
- Synthesizes Melanocyte Simulating
Chromophil Cells - Consist of:
Hormone
Acidophils;
Somatotrophs
- Secretes growth hormone
MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF THE
- Medium, oval/angular,
ANTERIOR PITUITARY
- Orange cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli
Mammotrophs
Gigantism – excessive production of growth
- Secrete prolactin hormone in children before closing of the long
- Large, polygonal/angular bone of the epiphysial plate
- purple-pink cytoplasm, green nuclei

Acromegaly – excessive production of growth

hormone in adult with musculoskeletal horology
and other medical consequences
HHIS 221: Human histology
2nd Year|2nd Semester| A.Y 2022 – 2023

Week 10: ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Pineal Gland Parathyroid Glands

- Also known as epiphysis cerebri - 4 small ovoid masses located on the back of
- Found on the 3rd ventricle; Attached to the the thyroid gland, one at each end of the
brain by a stalk upper and lower poles
- Age causes an increase in the amount of
- The parenchyma of the glands consists of 2
connective tissue in the pineal body and the
types of cells:
formation of calcified bodies called Brain
Sands/ Psamomma Bodies/ Corpora  Chief/ Principal Cells
Arenacea
 Oxyphil Cells

Thyroid Gland
Adrenal Glands
- Located in the cervical region anterior to the
cricoid cartilage of larynx - Also known as Suprarenal Glands
- Consists of 2 lateral lobes connected by a - Paired organs
narrow isthmus
- Weighs 25-40 grams; covered by a fibrous
capsule 2 CONCENTRIC REGIONS
- Contain 20M – 30M thyroid follicle Adrenal Cortex
2 types of cells: - outer glandular region in three layers
- Follicular cells/Thyrocytes - yellowish peripheral region
- Parafollicular cells/C cells - Cells of the adrenal cortex have
characteristic features of steroid-secreting
cells

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE

THYROID GLAND
3 Concentric Zones:

1. Goiter – Cause by chronic dietary ironic Zona Glomerulosa (Outermost)

deficiency
2. Graves Disease - hyperthyroidism; causes
exophthalmic goiter-edema behind eyes causes
bulging; hyperactivity, arrythmias.
3. Hypothyroidism – reduces the thyroid
hormone level cause by local inflammation
- 15% of the cortex
- Composed of columnar/pyramidal shaped
cell
- Secrete; Mineralocorticoids and Aldosterone
- Responsible for electrolyte and water
balance in the body
HHIS 221: Human histology
2nd Year|2nd Semester| A.Y 2022 – 2023

Week 10: ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Type 2 Diabetes – Non-Insulin dependent, occurs

most commonly with obesity
Zona Fasciculata (Middle)
Placenta
- Cells are arranged in straight cords
- 55% - 80% of the cortex - Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Secrete; Glucocorticoids and Cortisol - helps thicken the uterine lining to support
- Induce fat mobilization and muscle growing embryo during pregnancy; stop
proteolysis menstruation

Zona Reticularis (Innermost)

- Smaller cells in the network of irregular
cords
- 10% of the cortex
- Secrete; sex hormones/androgens

Adrenal Medulla
- inner neural tissue region
- reddish brown central area

Islets of Langerhans / Pancreatic Islets

- The pancreas is a mixed gland
- The islets of the pancreas produce hormones
Insulin – allows glucose to cross plasma
membranes into cells from Beta Cells
Glucagon – allows glucose to enter the blood
from Alpha Cells
Somatostatin – secretes from Delta Cells
These hormones are antagonists that maintain Other Endocrine Products
blood sugar homeostasis

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE

PANCREAS
Diabetes Mellitus – Loss of insulin, elevated
blood sugar or hypoglycemia
Type 1 Diabetes – Insulin dependent, loss of beta
cells