PRACTICAL WORKBOOK IN HISTOLOGY, CYTOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY - 2016

Chapter 5. SPECIAL HISTOLOGY

Endocrine System

Slide 89. Adrenal gland.

Staining: iron hematoxylin.

Magnification: x80.

At low magnification, On the surface of the organ, we observe a Connective Tissue capsule (1) containing clear adipocytes, nuclei of smooth myocytes, Blood Vessels (2), nerves in cross and oblique sections (3), and nerve ganglia (4). The Cytoplasm of the Neurons has a grayish color.

Beneath the capsule lies the cortex, in which three zones are distinguished. The outer zona glomerulosa (5) is formed by small endocrinocytes grouped into rounded clusters ("glomeruli"). The zona fasciculata (6) lies deeper, and its large corticosterocytes with characteristic foamy cytoplasm are arranged in parallel rows ("cords") perpendicular to The surface of the gland. Between them, we can see cleft-like capillary lumens (7). The third zone, the zona reticularis (8), contains Cells that are smaller than those of the fascicular zone. They form branching chains resembling a net.

The medulla (9) is separated from the zona reticularis by a thin layer of loose connective tissue. It contains large, light-colored adrenolocytes (epinephrine cells, which secrete adrenaline) and dark noradrenolocytes (norepinephrine cells, which secrete noradrenaline).

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Slide 89. Adrenal gland.



Last update: 07/08/2026

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