HISTOLOGY OF SELECTED 

ENDOCRINE ORGANS 

©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology and Chemistry
University of Cincinnati Clermont College,
Batavia OH 45103
 pituitary,
40x

This page has been accessed Counter times since 24 February 2003. 
3 March 1992, latest revision 22 Feb 1996, 4 Jan. 97, 7 Jan 98, 4 Jan 01, 6 Jan 03
 Islets of Langerhans
in pancreas, 100x

Examine each of the following slides, note the features in common and those which differentiate the endocrine organs.  
Make five illustrations, each at the noted power to take up at least half of a page. Note the purposes of each of the functional features labeled. Compare with the illustrations in di Fiore's Atlas of Normal Human Histology, 9th Ed. Read di Fiore's discussion of the endocrine system, pp 266-267 for a discussion of functions.
 

40x:

400x:
I. Hypophysis, 40x: Slide 14, Hypophysis, pars distalis, intermedia & nervosa, cat, H&E, 
(H 4260), (MF 9th, page 269)

infundibulum
pars distalis (adenohypophysis)
pars intermedia (remnant, Rathke's pouch)
pars nervosa (neurohypophysis)
capsule
blood vessels in capsule
sinusoidal capillaries

Here is a labeled 40x view of the hypophysis (pituitary gland).
40x:

100x:
Thyroid, 100x
 		 II. Thyroid, 100x: Slide 15, Thyroid, follicles, retic & simple cuboid epithelium
(H 4290),  (MF 9th, page 275)

follicles
colloid
follicular cells
III. Thyroid Follicle detail, 400x: 

cuboidal follicular cells
colloid
parafollicular cells (clear cells)
sinusoidal capillaries

Here is a labeled 400x view of  the thyroid.
20x:

40x:

glomerulosa/fasciculata:

fasculata/reticularis
IV. Adrenal Gland, 100x:  Slide 16, Adrenal gland, cortex (& medulla?) 
(70881),  (MF 9th, page 279)

capsule
zona glomerulosa [makes mineralcorticoids]
(superficial ovoid groups)
zona fasciculata [makes glucocorticoids]
(columns of cells)
zona reticularis [makes androgens]
(deep anastomosing cords of darker cells)
sinusoidal capillaries
adrenal medulla (if present)

Here is a labeled 40x view of the adrenal gland.
40x:
Pancreas, 40x
100x:

400x:
V. Islets of Langerhans, 100x:  Slide 17, Islets of Langerhans, human pancreas
(70905)  (MF 9th, pages 229-233)

pancreatic acini
intralobular duct
interlobular duct
Islets of Langerhans
Pacinian corpuscle
[See also slide 10: Vater-Pacinian Corpuscles in the pancreas (H 1688).]

Here is a labeled 40x view of the pancreas.
And here is a labeled 100x view showing Islets of Langerhans and an intralobular duct.