Parafollicular cell

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Parafollicular cells (also called C cells) are cells in the thyroid which produce and secrete calcitonin. They are located adjacent to the thyroid follicles and reside in the connective tissue. These cells are large and have a pale stain compared with the follicular cells or colloid.

Embryologically, they associate with the ultimobranchial body, which itself is a ventral derivative of the fourth (or fifth^[1]) pharyngeal pouch. The Parafollicular cells themselves are derived from Neural Crest cells. They are not numerous in the thyroid, and are typically situated basally in the epithelium, without direct contact with the follicular lumen. They are always situated within the basement membrane which surrounds the entire follicle.

When parafollicular cells become cancerous, they lead to medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

[edit] See also

• follicular cell

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Histology at USC end/c_27
• Histology at OU 42_04
• Histology at BU 14302loa
• Histology at KUMC endo-/endo10
• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 15.287

v • d • e Human anatomy, endocrine system: endocrine glands Hypothalamic/ pituitary axes Adrenal axis Adrenal gland Thyroid axis Thyroid gland (Parafollicular cell, Thyroid epithelial cell, Thyroid isthmus, Lobes of thyroid gland, Pyramid of thyroid) Parathyroid gland (Oxyphil cell, Chief cell) Gonadal axis Testes – Ovaries – Corpus luteum Other Pineal gland (Pinealocyte) • Islets of pancreas