The oxyphil and C cells of the human thyroid gland. A cytochemical and histopathologic review.
The C and oxyphil cells of the human thyroid are analyzed in the light of recent advances in cellular biology, cytochemistry, and histopathology. The C cell is present in the normal human thyroid, where its identification is cardinally by means of argyrophilic cytoplasmic granules. The morphology, topography and argyrophilia of C cells are discussed with reference to tumor, cyst, and teratoma formation in the thyroid gland. Oxyphil cells of the thyroid are cytochemically akin to C cells but arise from follicular cells. They occur in the thyroid and other protein-producing organs, but are themselves inefficient producers of proteins and glycoproteins. Speculation is made on their morphological characteristics, and consideration is given to DNA-RNA involvement in the functional and morphological alterations of this follicular cell type.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology; D000367:Age Factors; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012834:Silver; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013724:Teratoma / Q000473:pathology; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012834:Silver; D002116:Calcitonin