DefinePK

Abstract

fine structure of adrenal
gland in the toad, Bufo tibamicus and the desert reptile, Uromastyx
philbyi. The adrenal glands of both animals are composed of adrenocortical
and chromaffin tissues. In B. tibamicus, The adrenocortical tissue
is comprised of two main types of cells, the steroid cells with abundance
of lipid inclusions and eosinophilic cells with eosinophilic granular
cytoplasm. The chromaffin tissue is intermingled with adrenocortical
tissue. They are formed of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline secreting cells
with different electron density and variable sizes. The adrenocortical
cells of U. phiblyi constituent the main bulk of the inner gland
and they are typical steroid-secreting cells. They also characterized
by their rich amount of lipid droplets. Cords or islets of inner chromaffin
cells are scattered throughout the adrenocortical cells. The outer portion
of the gland is composed of chromaffin cells surrounded by the capsule.
Adrenaline and nor-adrenaline secreting cells were distinguished by
means of different electron density of their chromaffin granules either
in the outer or inner portion of the gland.