HISTOLOGY OF THE

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:

THYROID
PARATHYROID
ADRENAL
 BASIC CONCEPTS

Endocrine cell

Stimulus Hormone:
(hormonal, nervous) e.g.,steroid,
protein
Objectives
Identify cell
Identify hormone
Describe action of hormone
Describe regulation of cell
Effect on Target Organ
THYROID

colloid

Thyroid follicular cells

 THYROID

Effects of T3 and T4:

Bind to mitochondrial membranes

Stimulate carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism
Increases metabolic rate & heat production
Inhibits TSH and TRH from the pituitary and
hypothalamus
 DISEASES OF THE THYROID

Goiter: due to insufficiency of iodine in the diet

Hypothyroidism: due to hypothalamic/pituitary disorder

Graves disease: autoimmune disease; immunoglobulin binds

to TSH receptors and mimics effects
 THYROID
Parafollicular cells
High Calcium
THYROID
Levels Parafollicular cells

Calcitonin

Lowering of Calcium levels

Bone
Kidney
Intestine
THYROID - Parafollicular cells
PARATHYROID

Chief cells

Oxyphil cells
 PARATHYROID

Low Calcium Levels

CHIEF CELL

Parathyroid hormone

Increase Calcium Levels:

Bone resorption
Kidney
Intestine
 PARATHYROID
DISEASES
Hypoparathyroidism:
Decreased calcium levels; bones are denser;
spasms or tetany of skeletal muscles;
excitability of nervous system

Hyperparathyroidism:
Increased calcium levels; deposits of calcium in blood
vessels; osteoclastic activity = bone prone to
fracture.
 ADRENAL

K Cortex
I
d
n Medulla
e
y
 ADRENAL
Capsule & blood vessels

Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata Cortex

Zona reticularis

Medulla & veins

ADRENAL CORTEX

Zona glomerulosa
Renin-Angiotensin
Aldosterone

Sodium reabsorption
on level of kidney
tubules (DCT)
ADRENAL CORTEX
Hypothalamus
& pituitary

Zona fasciculata
Cortisol
ACTH
Carbohydrate &
protein metabolism;
anti-inflammatory
ADRENAL CORTEX

Zona reticularis
ACTH Sex steroids

Secondary sexual
characteristics
 ADRENAL CORTEX

Diseases of the adrenal cortex:

Addisons disease: decreased output of adrenal cortical hormones

due to destruction of cortex.

Cushings disease: excessive ACTH due to basophil tumor. Over-

production of adrenal cortical steroids.
ADRENAL MEDULLA

Postganglionic
sympathetic
axon
 ADRENAL MEDULLA

Epinephrine & Norepinephrine

Increase in heart rate

vasoconstriction
elevated blood glucose