Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thyroid follicular cell
Introduction
Overview
Overview
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
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.
External links
External links
- Template:AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic
- Histology image: 14302loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]