The human adrenal cortex: ultrastructure and base-line morphometric data.
The morphology of the human adult female adrenal cortex was studied by electron microscopy and morphometry. Zona glomerulosa contains outer undifferentiated small cells and inner well-differentiated larger elements, which display mitochondria with tubulo-laminar cristae, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and sparse lipid droplets. Zona fasciculata cells possess typical mitochondria with vesicular cristae, a well-developed SER, lipid droplets and some lipofuscin-pigment granules, which increase in number in the cells of the inner portion of the zone. Sometimes lipid-laden cells can be observed in the zona fasciculata. Zona reticularis cells have the same morphological features as the zona fasciculata elements, but display a striking rise in the number of lipofuscin-pigment granules.
Belloni
A S
AS
Department of Anatomy, University of Padua, Italy.
Mazzocchi
G
G
Mantero
F
F
Nussdorfer
G G
GG
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure
D008055:Lipids; D008062:Lipofuscin