The development of the thyroid gland in urodeles

The development of the thyroid has been briefly described from an example of each of the four urodele families and comparisons drawn. An attempt has been made toward clarifying previous and conflicting accounts. The thyroid arises as a solid bud from the floor of the pharynx in the region of the first visceral pouches. This bud grows backward until it reaches the pericardium. Division of the primordium into lateral portions is inaugurated and the anterior end of the splitting thyroid loses its connection with the pharynx before the separation of the parts is completed. Some of the undivided anterior portion may persist as an accessory thryroid. After the two lateral thyroid masses are separated the yolk disappears from the cells which then form cell columns and enlarge as a result of the fusion of adjacent vesicles. A thyroid [release] occurs at the time of metamorphosis except in Necturus. After the [release] the follicles refill. Similarities in development and general histological picture are closer between Necturus and Cryptobranchus as a pair than between either of these forms and Amblystoma or Eurycea. Amblystoma and Eurycea also resemble each other in histological picture. It is suggested that Necturus produces the thyroid hormone in sufficient quantity to induce metamorphosis but that some other factor or factors serve to inhibit the response.