Thyroid epithelial cell

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Section of thyroid gland of sheep. X 160. (“Cubical epithelium” labeled at center left.)

Thyroid epithelial cells (also called follicular cells or principal cells) are cells in the thyroid gland which produce and secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

They are simple cuboidal epithelium^[1] and are arranged in spherical follicles surrounding colloid.

They have thyrotropin receptors on their surface, which respond to thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Embryologic origin is from endoderm (in contrast to parafollicular cells, below).

Relationship to other cell types

Calcitonin-producing parafollicular cells (C cells) can be found scattered along the basement membrane of the thyroid epithelium. Embryologic origin is from neural crest cells.

References

↑ Histology at University of Southern California end/c_26

External links

Template:AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic
Histology image: 14302loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University

Template:Endocrine system

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[1] Histology at University of Southern California end/c_26

[1]