Thyroid epithelial cell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 that 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).

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Thyroid diverticulum

[edit] References

1. ^ Histology at USC end/c_26

[edit] External links

• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 15.287
• Histology at BU 14302loa

This cell biology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.