Endocrine System Histology Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers histological structures and cell types of the endocrine system, including the pituitary, thyroid, suprarenal glands, and pancreas, as described in the AP 2 Lab Unit 1 notes.

Anterior Pituitary

The glandular portion of the pituitary gland, comprising the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis.

Infundibulum of pituitary gland

The stalk-like structure that connects the pituitary gland to the brain.

Pars distalis

The major portion of the anterior pituitary containing acidophils, basophils, chromophobes, and blood vessels.

Pars intermedia

The boundary layer located between the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland.

Pars nervosa

The main portion of the posterior pituitary, which contains Herring bodies, blood vessels, and pituicyte nuclei.

Pars tuberalis

An extension of the anterior pituitary that wraps around the infundibulum.

Acidophil

A type of chromophil cell found in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary that stains with acidic dyes.

Basophil

A type of chromophil cell found in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary that stains with basic dyes.

Chromophil

A general category of cells in the anterior pituitary that attract dyes; these include acidophils and basophils.

Chromophobe

Cells in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary that do not react strongly with histological stains.

Herring body

Neurosecretory structures located in the pars nervosa of the posterior pituitary.

Pituicyte

Supportive glial cells of the posterior pituitary, typically recognized by their nuclei in histological slides.

Follicular colloid of thyroid gland

The protein-rich storage fluid found in the center of a thyroid follicle.

Parafollicular cell of thyroid gland

Cells of the thyroid gland located between follicles.

Thyroid follicle

The basic functional and histological unit of the thyroid gland, consisting of follicular cells and colloid.

Zona Glomerulosa

The outermost layer of the suprarenal gland cortex characterized by spherical clusters or 'glomeruli' of cells.

Zona Fasciculata

The middle layer of the suprarenal gland cortex characterized by bundles or 'fascicles' of cells arranged in parallel cords.

Zona Reticularis

The innermost layer of the suprarenal cortex, situated between the zona fasciculata and the suprarenal medulla.

Capsule of suprarenal gland

The connective tissue covering that surrounds the suprarenal gland.

Suprarenal medulla

The deep, central portion of the suprarenal gland, located internal to the cortex.

Pancreatic islet of Langerhans

Clusters of endocrine cells within the pancreas containing alpha and beta cells.

Pancreas Alpha Cell

Endocrine cells located within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans.

Pancreas Beta Cell

Endocrine cells located within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans; distinct from alpha cells.

Exocrine pancreas

The portion of the pancreas that secretes substances into ducts, distinguishing it from the endocrine islet cells.