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Endocrine Histology

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Read about the general characteristics of endocrine organs.

High-magnification light microscopy of stained pancreas tissue. The central islet of Langerhans shows tightly packed cells stained pink, each with a dark purple nucleus. Surrounding cells also show pink cytoplasm and dark nuclei, but with differently stained granules. The overall composition highlights the islet's cellular density against a background of surrounding tissue.
Figure 1: Microscopic view of cells of a pancreas islet, with alpha cells stained pink and beta cells stained purple.

Pancreas

Histological section of the thyroid gland, centrally composed, taken in brightfield microscopy. The image displays pink-stained thyroid follicles against a white background. Follicular size varies across the tissue, displaying a diverse network; some follicles are small and densely packed, while others are larger.
Figure 2: Thyroid tissue histology showing follicles stained in pink.

Thyroid

Histological image of parathyroid tissue showing chief cells. Cells display a granular, pale eosinophilic cytoplasm and a round, dark basophilic nucleus. Interstitial capillaries with erythrocytes are also visible with hematoxylin and eosin stain. The image has a high degree of cellularity and strong chromatin staining.
Figure 3:Parathyroid tissue with 2 cell populations: 1) purple stained nuclei and 2) red-stained cytoplasm.

Parathyroid

Histological slide of the pituitary gland at low magnification. The gland is stained magenta, and occupies the majority of the field. A large, well-defined mass is seen within the glandular tissue, appearing lighter in color due to decreased cellular density. The boundary between the tumor and normal gland is visible. White space surrounds the specimen.
Figure 4:Microscopic view of a pituitary gland with the darkly stained APG and lightly stained PPG

Anterior Pituitary

Photomicrograph of posterior pituitary gland tissue. Predominantly pink staining highlights cellular components and structures. Darker nuclei are scattered throughout. The composition shows an irregular arrangement of tissue elements at high magnification.
Figure 5:Microscopic view of the posterior pituitary gland, showing cellular structures with pink staining.

Posterior Pituitary

Microscopic image of adrenal gland tissue, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The kidney bean shaped gland is horizontally oriented on a white background. The adrenal cortex, the outer region of the kidney bean shape is pink and grainy and surrounds the dark pink inner medulla of the gland. Several vascular components and connective tissues are visible surrounding the gland's edges.
Figure 6:Pink-stained microscope slide of adrenal gland tissue showing cortex and medulla.

Adrenal Glands

Figure 1: Pancreas, H&E, 40X ( Slide 188B)
Figure 2: Thyroid gland and parathyroid, H&E, 40X Slide 217
Figure 3:Parathyroid, H&E, 40X Slide 220
Figure 4 & 5: Slide 227XC-HE Pituitary gland, monkey, cross section, H&E, 40X
Figure 6: Adrenal gland, monkey, H&E, 40X Slide 231
All by University of Michigan Histology, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

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Link to more on Endocrine Histology

Adrenal Gland
Pancreas
Anterior Pituitary Gland
Posterior Pituitary Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland

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