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Chromaffin cell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Chromophil. (Discuss) |
Chromaffin cells are neuroendocrine cells found in the medulla of the adrenal gland (suprarenal gland - located above the kidneys) and in other ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. They are derived from the embryonic neural crest.
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Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla are innervated by the splanchnic nerve and secrete epinephrine, norepinephrine, and enkephalin into the bloodstream. As such, they play an important role in the fight-or-flight response. They are also referred to as granules and this is where the enzyme dopamine-hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline. Distinct N and E cell forms exist (also Na and A cells in British nomenclature - noradrenaline and adrenaline); the former produce norepinephrine, the latter arise out of N cells through interaction with glucocorticoids, and convert norepinephrine into epinephrine.[1]
These cells are so-named because they can be visualized by staining with chromium salts. Chromaffin salts oxidize and polymerize catecholamines to form a brown color, most strongly in the cells secreting noradrenaline.
(The enterochromaffin cells cells are so named because of their histological similarity to chromaffin cells (they also stain yellow when treated with chromium salts), but their function is quite different.)
- ^ Wheater's Functional Histology, 5th ed. Young, Lowe, Stevens and Heath.
- Histology at BU 14507loa - "Endocrine System: adrenal gland, reticularis and medulla"
- Secretion Control in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells
- UC-San Diego Chromaffin Cell and Hypertension Research
- A Primer on Chromaffin Cells
- Rat Chromaffin cells primary cultures: Standardization and quality assessment for single-cell assays (a protocol)
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| Medulla | Chromaffin cells |
| Cortex | Zona glomerulosa • Zona fasciculata • Zona reticularis |
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