Human Anatomy (with the Fundamentals of Dynamic and Sports Morphology) - Ivanitsky, M. F. 2008

The Doctrine of the Organs of Internal Secretion
Chromaffin System

The chromaffin system is developmentally linked to The Nervous system. Individual Nerve Cells migrate from the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. Because of their ability to stain with chromium salts, they are called chromatoblasts. Subsequently, accumulations of these cells invade the epithelial folds of the secondary body cavity to form The adrenal medulla.

In addition, chromatoblasts form numerous clusters scattered throughout various PARTS OF THE body. Located primarily in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue near the aorta, they are known as Paraganglia. The largest paraganglion is the aortic paraganglion, which, as the name implies, is situated near the aorta. It may be multiple.

Small, isolated clusters of chromaffin tissue can be found along the digestive tract and within sympathetic ganglia. These clusters undergo regression relatively early in development. They are most prominent in early childhood and are usually undetectable in adults.

The chromaffin Organs also include the carotid body, located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery beneath its adventitia.



Last update: 08/08/2026

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