1.

Enumerate the component organs of endocrine system

Endocrine gland:
 Ductless
 Highly vascularized
 Cells in cords
 Inward secretion

a. Pituitary Gland
b. Adrenals
c. Thyroid Gland
d. Parathyroid Gland
e. Pineal Gland
f. Thymus
g. Pancreas
h. Kidneys
i. Testis
j. Ovaries
k. Placenta

2. Describe the anatomy of organ as to:

a. Embryonic origin
b. Location
c. Anatomical relations
d. Morphological structure
e. Histologic organization
f. Hormones secreted
g. Vascular supply, innervations and lymphatic drainage
Pituitary Gland

EMBRYONIC ORIGIN

Parts Embryonic Origin Differentiates into

Anterior pituitary 1. Rathke’s Pouch Pars anterior/distalis
( Adenohypophysis) 2. Oral Ectoderm Outpocketing (Stomodeum) o Small extension: Pars tuberalis
o Posterior wall : Pars intermedia
Posterior pituitary Infundibulum (downward extension of Stalk
(Neurohypohysis) diencephalon) Pars nervosa

Rathke’s pouch appears as evagination of oral cavity and subsequently grows dorsally toward the infundibulum.
By the end of 2nd month, it loses its connection with oral cavity and is in close contact with infundibulum.

LOCATION
Hypophysial fossa of Sella turcica :part of Sphenoid bone
Connected to the hypothalamus via infundibulum

MORPHOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Weight: 0.5 g in males and 1.5 g in multiparous females
Diameter: 10x13x16 mm

ANATOMICAL RELATIONS
Optic chiasm
Internal Carotid Artery
Occulomotor nerve (CN III)
Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
ADENOHYPOPHYSIS

Pars distalis
 75% of the adenohypophysis
 Covered by a thin fibrous capsule
 Fibroblasts are present and produce reticular fibers supporting cords of hormone-secreting cells
 Consist of:
o Chromophobe
o Chromophils (Acidophils and Basophils)
 Chromophobe Chromophils
 Stain poorly  Stain intensely
 Lack secretory granules  Hormone containing secretory granules
 Degranulated chromophils  Classified into:
 Undifferentiated cells capable of  Acidophils
differentiating into chromophils  Basophils

Pars intermedia
 colloid-containing cysts (Rathke cysts) that are lined by cuboidal cells
 Basophilic cells
Pars tuberalis
 Basophilic cells

NEUROHYPOPHYSIS

 No secretory cells
 Mainly composed of axons from supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus
 Pars nervosa
o site where the granules (oxytocin, ADH) in these axons are stored in accumulations known as
Herring bodies.
o Pituicytes (25%)
 Astrocyte like cells that supports axons
 Dominant cells in posterior pituitary

HORMONES SECRETED
Pars intermedia

These cells secrete the prohormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC), which is cleaved to form melanocyte-
stimulating hormone (MSH). In humans, MSH acts in various ways to modulate inflammatory responses
throughout the body, and it may play a role in controlling stores of body fat.

VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Arterial supply

Two pairs of blood vessels derived from the internal carotid artery
1. The right and left superior hypophyseal arteries supplies:
 pars tuberalis
 infundibulum
 median eminence.
2. The right and left inferior hypophyseal arteries supplies:
 posterior pituitary gland
 stalk

Neurovascular System

HYPOPHYSEAL PORTAL SYSTEM

 Located in Adenohypophysis
 Consist of:
1. The primary capillary plexus consists of fenestrated capillaries coming off the superior hypophyseal
arteries
o This plexus is located in the median eminence, where stored hypothalamic neurosecretory
hormones enter the blood.
o It is drained by hypophyseal portal veins, which descend through the infundibulum

2. The secondary capillary plexus consists of fenestrated capillaries coming off the hypophyseal portal
veins.
o This plexus is located in the pars distalis, where neurosecretory hormones leave the blood to
stimulate or inhibit the parenchymal cells.

HYPOTHALAMOHYPOPHYSEAL TRACT
 Located in Neurohypophysis and Hypothalamus
 Contains the unmyelinated axons of neurosecretory cells whose cell bodies are located
in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus.
 Transports oxytocin, antidiuretic hormone (ADH; vasopressin), neurophysin (a binding protein specific for
each hormone), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the pars nervosa.
Adrenals

EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Adrenal Cortex – Mesoderm
Adrenal Medulla – Ectodermal Neural Crest Cells

LOCATION
Paired organs on the superior poles of the kidneys

ANATOMICAL RELATIONS

 Surrounded by connective tissue containing considerable perinephric fat

 Enclosed by renal fascia
 Attached to the crura of the diaphragm
 Separated from the kidneys by fibrous tissue
 Two suprarenal glands:
1. The pyramid-shaped right gland lies anterior to the diaphragm and makes contact with the IVC
anteromedially and the liver anterolaterally.
2. The crescent-shaped left gland is related to the spleen, stomach, pancreas, and the left crus of the
diaphragm.

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
 Weight and size vary with age & physiologic
condition
 Each suprarenal gland has two parts
suprarenal cortex
suprarenal medulla

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION

Adrenal cortex
 Secrete but do not store steroid hormones
 Acidophilic cytoplasm rich in lipid-droplets
 Smooth endoplasmic reticulum contains enzymes used for cholesterol synthesis and converts
pro-hormone pregnenolone to specific active steroids
 Total vol. Cells Lipid droplets Mitochondria SER
 Many
Zona
15% Cords and clusters Few  Shelflike Many
glomerulosa
cristae
 Many
 Polyhedral in
65 – 80%  Spongiocytes Tubular and
columns
Zona fasciculata Thickest (Vacuolated) Vesicular +
 Sinusoidal capillaries
Layer  Lipofuschin cristae
perpendicular to cells
pigment granules
 Few lipid droplets
Irregular, anastomosing
Zona reticularis 10%  Many lipofuscin
cords
pigment granules

Adrenal Medulla
 Two populations of parenchymal cells called chromaffin
cells
o Most abundant
o Polyhedral cells stained intensly brown with
chromium salts (chromaffin reaction)
o Irregular cords
 Chromogranins – binding proteins for epinephrine and
norepinephrine
 Innervated by preganglionic sympathetic (cholinergic)
fibers, making these cells analogous in function to
postganglionic sympathetic neurons but lacking axons and
dendrites and specialized as secretory cells

HORMONES SECRETED
VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

OUTSIDE ADRENAL GLAND

Blood supply
 superior suprarenal a. (from inferior phrenic artery)
 middle suprarenal a. (from abdominal aorta)
 inferior suprarenal a. (from renal artery)

Venous drainage
 Right suprarenal vein (directly drain into IVC)
 Left suprarenal vein (drain first into left renal vein which drains into the IVC)

INSIDE ADRENAL GLAND

From the superior, middle, and inferior adrenal arteries, which form three groups of vessels to:
 Capsule
 Parenchymal cells of the cortex
 Medulla

A. Cortical blood supply

 A fenestrated capillary network bathes cells of the zona glomerulosa.
 Straight, discontinuous, fenestrated capillaries supply the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis

B. Medullary blood supply

 Venous blood rich in hormones reaches the medulla via the discontinuous fenestrated
capillaries that pass through the cortex.
 Arterial blood from direct branches of capsular arteries (outside adrenal forms an extensive
fenestrated capillary network among the chromaffin cells of the medulla.
 Medullary veins join to form the suprarenal vein, which exits the gland

Thyroid gland
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
 Foregut endoderm
 Foramen cecum

During this migration, the thyroid remains connected to the tongue by a narrow canal, thyroglossal duct. Later,
this duct disappears.
The thyroid begins to function at the end of the third month, which follicles containing colloids becomes visible.
LOCATION
 It lies deep to the sternothyroid and sternohyoid muscles from the level of the C5–T1 vertebrae, at
second to fourth tracheal rings
 Anterior and inferior to larynx
 It consists primarily of right and left lobes, anterolateral to the larynx and trachea
 A relatively thin isthmus unites the lobes over the trachea, usually anterior to the second and third
tracheal rings

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
 Highly vascular, butterfly-shaped gland
 Surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule, which sends septa deeply into the gland
 Only gland that can store a large quantity of secretory product which is good for 3 months without
any synthesis

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
The thyroid gland is subdivided by capsular septa into lobules containing follicles.
 Each follicle consists of a simple epithelium and a central lumen filled with a gelatinous substance
called colloid
 Thyroid colloid contains the large glycoprotein thyroglobulin, the precursor for the active thyroid
hormones
These septa also serve as conduits for blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

Follicular cells
 Follicular cells are normally cuboidal, but they become columnar when stimulated and squamous when
inactive

Parafollicular cells /Clear (C) cells

 stain less intensely than thyroid follicular cells
 singly or in small clusters
 between the follicular cells and basal lamina
 far less important as compared to the function of parathyroid glands in controlling calcium
 belong to the population of DNES cells, also known as APUD cells (amine precursor uptake and
decarboxylation cells), or enteroendocrine cells
HORMONES SECRETED
Follicular cells
 Thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), evoked by TSH
 These hormones increase the basal metabolic rate and thus promote heat production

Parafollicular cells
 Calcitonin , polypeptide hormone, in response to high blood calcium levels
primarily to lower blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts
 far less important as compared to the function of parathyroid glands in controlling calcium

VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Blood supply
Superior thyroid artery
 From External Carotid Artery
 Anterosuperior Aspect
Inferior thyroid artery
 Largest branch of thyrocervical trunk, which comes from subclavian artery
 Posteroinferior Aspect
Thyroid ima artery
 From the brachiocephalic trunk, the arch of the aorta, or from the right common carotid, subclavian,
internal thoracic arteries, or internal mammary
 Present in 10% of the people
 Supplies the isthmus of the gland

Venous supply
 Superior thyroid veins and Middle thyroid veins – drain directly in Internal Jugular vein
 Inferior thyroid veins – Brachiocephalic veins

Nervous supply
 Superior, middle, and inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia
 They reach the gland through the cardiac and superior and inferior thyroid periarterial plexuses that
accompany the thyroid arteries.
 These fibers are vasomotor, causing constriction of blood vessels.
 Surgically:
Recurrent laryngeal nerve-thyroid gland-external branch of superior laryngeal nerve. Be careful
not to damage these nerves
Lymphatic drainage
Superior to thyroid gland
 prelaryngeal , pretracheal ,paratracheal then
to superior and inferior deep cervical nodes

Inferior to the thyroid gland

 Inferior deep cervical lymph nodes

Some lymphatic vessels may drain into

brachiocephalic lymph nodes or the thoracic duct

Parathyroid gland
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Superior parathyroid: 4th pharyngeal pouch
Inferior parathyroid: 3rd pharyngeal pouch

LOCATION
External to the fibrous capsule on the medial half of the posterior surface of each lobe of the thyroid gland
Have 2 pairs: upper/superior and lower/inferior glands

ANATOMICAL RELATIONS
Superior parathyroid glands are usually at the level of the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
Inferior parathyroid glands are usually near the inferior poles of the thyroid gland

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
They have a parenchyma composed of two types of cells, chief cells and oxyphil cells.
Chief or Principal cells – Small polygonal basophilic cells arranged in clusters
Oxyphil or Acidophilic cells – large, eosinophilic cells that are present singly or in small clusters(often)
with abnormally shaped mitochondria
They become infiltrated with fat cells in older persons, and the number of oxyphil cells also increases.
HORMONES SECRETED
Chief cells – PTH (Parathyroid Hormone) which raises calcium levels
Oxyphil cells – transitional derivative of chief cells, function unknown

VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Blood supply
The inferior thyroid arteries supply both the superior and the inferior parathyroid glands; however, these
glands may also receive branches from the superior thyroid arteries, the thyroid ima artery, or the laryngeal,
tracheal, and esophageal arteries.

Venous supply
The parathyroid veins drain into the thyroid plexus of veins of the thyroid gland and trachea.

Lymphatic drainage
Same with thyroid gland

Nerve supply
 thyroid branches of the cervical sympathetic ganglia
 vasomotor but not secretomotor

Pineal gland
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Neuroectoderm in the roof of the diencephalon on the posterior wall of 3rd ventricle

LOCATION: BRAIN
MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE: SMALL PINE CONE -SHAPED ORGAN
HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
 This gland has a capsule formed of the pia mater, from which septa (containing blood vessels and
unmyelinated nerve fibers) extend to subdivide it into incomplete lobules.
 It is composed primarily of pinealocytes and neuroglial cells.
Pinealocytes – Predominant slightly basophilic cell
Neuroglial/ Interstitial cells – resemble astrocytes, unmyelinated
 It also contains calcium and magnesium concretions (brain sand/ corpus arenaceum) in its interstitium.
The function of these concretions is unknown, but they increase during short light cycles and decrease
during periods of darkness. Such concretions appear during childhood and gradually increase in number
and size with age

HORMONES SECRETED
Pinealocytes
 These cells synthesize and secrete serotonin (during the day) and melatonin (at night).
Melatonin
o regulates sleep cycle or cicardian rhythm
o If retina detects light – inhibits melatonin production
o Physiologic changes like decrease body temperature and respiratory rate
o Inhibits the secretion of gonadotrophic releasing hormones in animals, especially for females in
getting them prepared for their seasonal sexual activities
Thymus
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Dual embryonic origin : Its precursor lymphoblasts originate in the bone marrow (mesoderm), but then move to
invade a unique epithelium that developed from the endoderm of the embryo's third ventral region of
pharyngeal pouch

LOCATION
 Located in the lower part of the neck and the anterior part of the superior mediastinum. It lies posterior to
the manubrium of the sternum and extends into the anterior mediastinum, anterior to the pericardium.
 After puberty, the thymus undergoes gradual involution and is largely replaced by fat.

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
A connective tissue capsule surrounds the thymus. The septa of this capsule divide the parenchyma into
incomplete lobules, each of which contains a cortical and medullary region. The thymus does not possess
lymphoid nodules.

Thymic cortex
 where T-cell maturation occurs
 consist of epithelial reticular cells, thymocytes
 greater population of lymphocytes
 darker

Thymic medulla
 Consist of epithelial reticular cells, mature T cells and whorl-like accretions of epithelial reticular cells
called Hassall Corpuscles

HORMONES SECRETED
 Central lymphoid organ for the production of T cells. More of an immune system organ as against
naming it as an endocrine gland
 Hormones: thymopoietin and thymosin – promotes formation of mature T cells

Pancreas
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Endoderm: acinar cells, islet cells, and simple columnar or cuboidal epithelium lining the pancreatic ducts.
Visceral mesoderm : connective tissue and vascular components

Initially, pancreas is composed of dorsal and ventral bud. Because of the 90° clockwise rotation of the
duodenum, the ventral bud rotates dorsally and fuses with the dorsal bud to form the definitive adult pancreas.
The ventral bud forms the uncinate process and a portion of the head of the pancreas. The dorsal bud forms
the remaining portion of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas. The main pancreatic duct is formed by the
anatomosis of the distal two thirds of the dorsal pancreatic duct (the proximal one third regresses or becomes
the accessory pancreatic duct of Santorini that enters minor papilla) and the entire ventral pancreatic duct. The
main pancreatic duct and common bile duct form a single opening (hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater) into the
duodenum at the tip of a major papillae

LOCATION : RETROPERITONEALLY AND TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE POSTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL

ANATOMICAL RELATIONS
Posterior to the stomach between the duodenum on the right and the spleen on the left
The root of the transverse mesocolon lies along its anterior margin.

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
A mixed exocrine and endocrine gland that produces both digestive enzymes and hormones
“Endocrine tissue embedded in an exocrine gland”

Exocrine Pancreas
 Serous compound tubuloacinar gland
 Under the influence of secretin, the centroacinar and other cells of these small ducts secrete a copious
HCO3– - rich fluid that hydrates and alkalinizes the enzymatic secretions of the acinar cell.

Endocrine Pancreas
 Islet cells: each consists of polygonal or rounded cells
 Smaller and more lightly stained than the surrounding acinar cells arranged in cords that are separated
by a network of fenestrated capillaries surrounded by fine network of reticular fibers

HORMONES SECRETED

VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Blood supply
Most parts: Pancreatic Arteries from splenic artery
Head
Anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries – from gastroduodenal artery
Anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries – from SMA

Venous supply
Splenic (most) and Superior Mesenteric parts of the Hepatic Portal Vein
Nerve supply
Vagus
Abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves

Lymphatic drainage
Follow blood vessels, end in pancreaticosplenic nodes that lie along the splenic artery, but some vessels end in
the pyloric lymph nodes. Efferent vessels from these nodes drain to the superior mesenteric lymph nodes or to
the celiac lymph nodes via the hepatic lymph nodes

Kidneys
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
From intermediate mesoderm:
1. Pronephros
2. Mesonephros – ureteric bud
3. Metanephros – kidney

LOCATION
The kidneys lie retroperitoneally on the posterior abdominal wall, one on each side of the vertebral column

ANATOMICAL RELATIONS
The kidneys lie on the posterior abdominal wall at the level of the T12–L3 vertebrae. The right kidney lies at a
slightly lower level than the left kidney, probably owing to the presence of the liver

HORMONES SECRETED
Renin
 Produced by juxtaglomerular cells
 A protease that participates in the regulation of blood pressure by cleaving circulating angiotensinogen
to angiotensin I

Erythropoietin
 Produced by cells in peritubular capillaries

Vitamin D
 Initially produced in skin keratinocytes, is hydroxylated in kidneys to an active form (1,25-
dihydroxyvitamin D3 or calcitriol) involved in regulating calcium balance

VASCULAR SUPPLY , INNERVATIONS AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Blood supply
OUTSIDE KIDNEYS
Renal arteries – right is longer
Segmental arteries – into 5 segments, do not anastamose

INSIDE KIDNEYS
Branches of the renal artery enter each kidney at the hilum and give rise to interlobar arteries.

Blood Flow:
1. Interlobar artery
2. Arcuate artery
3. Interlobular artery
4. Afferent arteriole
5. Efferent arteriole
 Peritubular capillaries (nourish cortical labyrinth: proximal and distal convoluted tubules)
 Vasa recta (Loop of Henle, goes to medulla providing nutrients and oxygen there, then loop back into
cortex as venules)
Testis
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Intermediate mesoderm

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
 Tunica albuginea is the thick, fibrous connective
tissue capsule of the testis.
 It is thickened posteriorly to form the mediastinum
testis, from which incomplete connective tissue septa
arise to divide the organ into approximately 250
compartments (lobuli testis).
 Each lobuli testis contains 1 to 4 seminiferous tubules.
These tubules are embedded in a meshwork of loose
connective tissue containing blood and lymphatic
vessels, nerves, and interstitial cells of Leydig

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION
Interstitial cells of Leydig
 Round to polygonal cells in the interstitial regions between seminiferous tubules.
 Rich in lipid droplets. The lipid droplets contain cholesterol esters, precursors of testosterone.

Sertoli cells
 Cells within semniferous tubules
 Supporting/sustentacular cells
 They synthesize androgen-binding protein (ABP) under the influence of FSH. ABP
assists in maintaining the necessary concentration of testosterone in the seminiferous tubule so that
spermatogenesis can progress.
 They secrete inhibin, a hormone that inhibits the synthesis and release of FSH by the anterior pituitary.
 They establish a blood-testis barrier.
HORMONES SECRETED
Interstitial cells of Leydig
Produce and secrete testosterone
Secretion is stimulated by luteinizing hormone

Sertoli cells
They synthesize and release antimüllerian hormone, which determines maleness
Has receptors for FSH

Ovaries
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
Intermediate mesoderm

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
1. Ovaries are covered by a simple cuboidal epithelium called the germinal epithelium.
2. Deep to the germinal epithelium, the ovaries possess a capsule, the tunica albuginea, that is composed
of a dense, irregular collagenous connective tissue.
3. Each ovary is subdivided into a cortex and a medulla, which are not sharply delineated

HISTOLOGIC ORGANIZATION

Ovarian cortex
OVARIAN FOLLICLES
Formation of follicles:
1. Primordial follicles
 primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flat follicular cells
 Follicles that are formed during fetal life
2. Growing follicles
 Primary follicles
o Consist of granulosa cells and theca interna cells
 Secondary (antral) follicles
3. Graafian (mature) follicle
CORPUS LUTEUM
 Yellow body
 formed from the corpus hemorrhagicus (remnants of the graafian follicle)
 Large and temporary endocrine gland in the ovarian cortex
 Fate depends on whether pregnancy occurs (secretes progesterone → readies uterus for implantation; if
no pregnancy, there will be regression of corpus luteum & withdrawal of progesterone; if with
pregnancy, continues to secrete progesterone), exist until 5 months of pregnancy
 Secretes progesterone for 10-12 days (will be replaced by the placenta afterwards)
 Cells in Corpus Luteum
1. Granulose Lutein cells
o 80% of parenchyma of corpus luteum
o Differentiated from granulosa cells
o Granulosa cells increase greatly in size, without dividing
2. Theca Lutein cells
o 20% of parenchyma of corpus luteum
o Differentiated from theca interna cells
o Typically aggregated in the folds of the wall of the corpus luteum

HORMONES SECRETED

 Granulosa lutein cells manufacture most of the body’s progesterone and convert androgens formed by
the theca lutein cells into estrogens.
 Theca lutein cells manufacture progesterone and androgens and small amounts of estrogen.
Placenta
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN
The placenta develops as the embryo invades the endometrium of the uterus and as the trophoblast forms the
villous chorion.

Fetal component (Villous chorion)

The formation of the villous chorion proceeds through three stages: primary chorionic villi, secondary chorionic
villi, and tertiary chorionic villi
Derived from both the trophoblast and extraembryonic mesoderm

TROPHOBLAST
 Will form 2 types of cells
 Produces an anti inflammatory cytokine which will prevent an adverse uterine reaction to the implanted
embryo (reject implanted embryo)
1. Syncytiotrophoblast
 outer multinucleated zone
 no mitosis occurs
 invasion of the endometrium stablishing early uteroplacental circulation with decidual cells
(endometrial stromal cells)
2. Cytotrophoblast
 Internal, central
 produce local mounds called primary chorionic villi

Maternal component
 The decidua basalis includes the portion of the endometrium located between the blastocyst and the
myometrium (i.e., the site of implantation).
 The decidua parietalis includes all portions of the endometrium other than the site of implantation
 The decidua basalis and decidua parietalis shed as part of the afterbirth

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
 Site of exchange of waste, nutrients, carbon dioxide and oxygen between the mother and the fetus

HORMONES SECRETED
Syncytiotrophoblast – produces Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) which will continue to tell the corpus
luteum to produce progesterone until it matures
Diffuse Neuroendocrine System (GIT)

 Derived from endodermal cells or bronchial buds

 Can be called by many names gastroenteropancreatic cell,
enterochromaffin, argentaffin, APUD (amine precursor
uptake & decarboxylation) cell
 Make up the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES)
If Stained with:
a. Chromium salt-Enterochromaffin cells
b. Silver nitrate- Argentaffin cells
 They function to regulate motility and secretion in the GIT
 Most hormones are polypeptides
 Act in a paracrine manner
 Secretes serotonin