Histology for Pathology
Endocrine Organs
Theresa Kristopaitis, MD
Associate Professor
Director of Mechanisms of Human Disease
Kelli A. Hutchens, MD, FCAP
Assistant Professor
Assistant Director of Mechanisms of Human Disease
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Objectives
Pitutary Gland
• On low power and high power sections distinguish the adenohypophysis (anterior
pituitary) from the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary).
• List the 2 hormones that are secreted by the hypothalamus and stored in the
posterior pituitary.
• Define “Hering Body”.
• Explain in general terms the staining patterns of chromophobes, basophils and
acidophils of the anterior pituitary.
• List the 6 hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary and the cell type by which
they are each secreted.
Thyroid Gland
• On H&E stained sections, identify thyroid follicles and colloid.
• Describe the cell type that lines thyroid follicles.
• List the hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland.
Parathyroid gland
• List the two cell types of the parathyroid glands.
Adrenal Gland
• On low power distinguish the adrenal cortex from the medulla.
• On low power distinguish the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata,
and zona reticularis and list the hormones secreted by each.
• List the substances secreted by the chromaffin cells of the adrenal
medulla.
Endocrine Pancreas
• On low power distinguish the Islets of Langerhans.
• List the hormones produced by the alpha, beta, delta and PP cells.
Pituitary Gland
Anterior pituitary gland
(Adenohypophysis, Pars Distalis)
Stains “red-blue”
Posterior pituitary gland
(Neurohypophysis, Pars Nervosa)
Pale staining
Adenohypophysis – high power
The adenohypophysis
contains 3 cell types:
-acidophils (stain red)
-basophils (stain blue)
-chromophobes (pale
stain)
The adenohyphysis stains
red-blue on low power
because of the acidophils
and basophils
Why know the cell types of the
adenohypophysis?
• Acidophils secrete growth hormone and
prolactin
• Basophils secrete TSH, LH and FSH and ACTH
• Chromophobes are undifferentiated cells
Neurohypophysis – high power
The neurohypophysis
resembles neural tissue, with glial
cells, nerve fibers, nerve endings,
and intra-axonal neurosecretory
granules
Precursors of ADH (vasopressin)
and oxytocin are synthesized in
the hypothalamus and
transported to the pars nervosa
where processing is completed
Neurohypophysis – high power
Hering bodies are large
dilated axon terminal
endings that are filled with
accumulated neurosecretory
granules
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Follicles are
filled with pink
material which is
colloid
The follicles normally
vary in size
Thyroid follicle – high power
Normal thyroid follicles
are lined by a low
cuboidal follicular
epithelium
Thyroid gland – high power
Parafollicular cells (C-cells)
lie between follicles and
secrete Calcitonin
Parathyroid Gland – low power
Low power of
parathyroid, showing
random cords of cells.
The parathyroid is
somewhat lobulated in
appearance and
considerable adipose
tissue is intermingled
with secretory portions.
Adipose tissue
Cords of cells
Parathyroid Gland – high power
Chief
cells
Oxyphil cells
2 cells types of the Parathyroid:
Chief cells secrete parathormone
(PTH). They have large round nuclei
with a small amount of clear
cytoplasm.
Oxyphil cells have smaller, darker
nuclei and relatively larger amount
of cytoplasm. The significance of
the oxyphil cells is not clear.
Adrenal Gland – Low power
capsule
cortex
medulla
Adrenal Cortex –low power
Zona glomerulosa
Mineralocorticoids aldosterone
Zona fasciculata
Glucocorticoids –
Cortisol, corticosterone
Zona reticularis
Androgens–
dehydroepiandrosteron
e
Endocrine Pancreas
Islets of Langerhans
Low power
High power
Endocrine Pancreas
• Cells in the islets of Langerhans
– Alpha – secrete glucagon
– Beta – secrete insulin
– Delta – secrete somatostatin and gastrin
– PP – secrete pancreatic polypeptide