Endocrine Glands: Answers

Pituitary Gland

#74 Pituitary, Human. H & E

What kinds of cells are in the neurohypophysis?
Pituicytes (glia), endothelial cells.

#75 Pituitary, Human (Chrome-hematoxylin and Phloxin)

• What do Herring bodies represent?
  Sites for storage or degradation of neurotransmitters.
• What hormones might you expect to find in these structures?
  Vasopressin and oxytocin.
• Where are the hormones of the neurohypophysis synthesized?
  Hypothalamus.

Adrenal Gland

#71 Adrenal, Human, dichromate fixation

• What hormone is produced by the zona glomerulosa?
  Mineralocorticoids.
• By the zona fasciculata?
  Glucocorticoids (cortisol in humans).
• By the zona reticularis?
  Weak androgens.
• By the medulla?
  Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin).
• What hormones regulate the function of the cortex?
  ACTH, angiotensin II, epinephrine, norepinephrine.
• How is medullary function regulated?
  Presynaptic nerves and glucocorticoids.

Parathyroid

#79 Parathyroid, Human

• What is the functional significance of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system?
  It allows for rapid and direct delivery of hypothalamic products with releasing and inhibiting effects on anterior pituitary cells
• What factors control the secretion of parathormone?
  Serum calcium levels.
• What is the consequence of parathyroid hypofunction?
  Lowered blood calcium level can be life threatening.
• How does parathormone act?
  Raises serum calcium levels by activating osteoclasts (release calcium from bone).

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