Anatomy and Function of Thyroid Cells

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What is the characteristic that distinguishes the thyroid gland from other endocrine glands?

It stores its secretion intra-cellularly as secretory granules.
It produces only one type of hormone.
It stores a large quantity of its secretion extracellularly as colloid. (correct)
It is the only endocrine gland that is bi-lobed.

What is the function of the parafollicular cells (C-cells) in the thyroid gland?

They produce thyroid hormones. (correct)
They regulate the activity of follicular cells.
They produce parathyroid hormones.
Their function is still unknown.

What is the shape of the thyroid follicle?

Spherical (correct)
Flat
Cuboidal
Columnar

What happens to the shape of follicular cells when they are highly active?

They become columnar. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the material that fills the cavity of the thyroid follicle?

Colloid (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of thyrocalcitonin secreted by parafollicular cells?

Lowering blood calcium levels by suppressing release of calcium ions from bone (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the component of the stroma of the thyroid gland that provides support to the thyroid follicles?

Trabeculae (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of triodothyronine (T3) on the rate of metabolism?

It increases the rate of metabolism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pituitary gland in regulating thyroid hormone secretion?

It produces TSH, which affects the activity of follicular cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of parathyroid hormone secreted by chief cells?

Increasing serum calcium levels (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of oxyphil cells in the parathyroid gland?

They are larger than chief cells (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between T3 and T4 in terms of activity?

T3 is more active than T4 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the cells in the zona reticularis?

They are smaller and more acidophilic than other two layers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of chromaffin cells in the suprarenal medulla?

To secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the mitochondria in steroid-secreting cells?

They have tubular cristae (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the suprarenal cortex and medulla?

The cortex is embryologically and functionally different from the medulla (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the lipid droplets in steroid-secreting cells?

They are small and abundant (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of the zona reticularis?

It is composed of cords that branch and anastomose with each other (C) Signup and view all the answers