parafollicular cells

parafollicular cells
ovoid cells with an irregular nucleus and many brown or black cytoplasmic granules, located in the follicular epithelium and interfollicular spaces along with the principal cells of the thyroid follicles, in the follicular epithelium and interfollicular spaces, and which elaborate calcitonin. They arise during embryonic life from the fifth pharyngeal pouches and are incorporated in the thyroid gland in mammals, but form discrete epithelial cell masses (ultimobranchial bodies) in submammalian vertebrates. Called also C c's and light c's.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Parafollicular cell — 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 …   Wikipedia

  • parafollicular — Associated spatially with a follicle. * * * para·fol·lic·u·lar fə lik yə lər adj located in the vicinity of or surrounding a follicle <parafollicular cells of the thyroid> …   Medical dictionary

  • parafollicular — “+ adjective Etymology: para (I) + follicular : located in the vicinity of or surrounding a follicle parafollicular cells of the canine thyroid …   Useful english dictionary

  • C cells — parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland, which are derived from neural crest tissue. They produce calcitonin. medullary carcinoma of the thyroid has its origin in the C cells. * * * 1. parafollicular c s. 2. a type of cells that lack granules,… …   Medical dictionary

  • C cells — parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland, which are derived from neural crest tissue. They produce calcitonin. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid has its origin in the C cells …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • light cells — parafollicular c s …   Medical dictionary

  • ultimobranchial cells — parafollicular c s …   Medical dictionary

  • interdigitating cells — antigen presenting cells found in the thymus dependent (parafollicular) areas of the deep cortex of lymph nodes and spleen, having numerous surface processes that interdigitate with adjacent lymphocytes; the surface of these cells contains an Ia… …   Medical dictionary

  • endocrine system, human — ▪ anatomy Introduction  group of ductless glands (gland) that regulate body processes by secreting chemical substances called hormones (hormone). Hormones act on nearby tissues or are carried in the bloodstream to act on specific target organs… …   Universalium

  • Cell — The basic structural and functional unit in people and all living things. Each cell is a small container of chemicals and water wrapped in a membrane. Each cell in the human body there are 100 trillion cells in each of us contains the entire… …   Medical dictionary

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