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Development of zonular patterns in the human adrenal gland
Author(s) -
Sucheston Martha E.,
Can Marvin S.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051260408
Subject(s) - biology , adrenal cortex , cortex (anatomy) , involution (esoterism) , zona reticularis , fetus , medulla , anatomy , epithelium , pathology , adrenal gland , histogenesis , autopsy , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , medicine , pregnancy , neuroscience , zona glomerulosa , immunology , consciousness , genetics , angiotensin ii , blood pressure
Microscopic studies of human adrenal glands from 58 autopsy specimens, ranging in age from one month gestation to 69 years, revealed a pertinent developmental pattern in the establishment of definitive zonation. This pattern was established using the following criteria: (1) relationship of age to the developing zones; (2) times of formation of definitive zonation; and (3) the morphological determination of developmental patterns based on staining characteristics. Using these criteria, development was divided into five phases: (1) condensation of coelomic epithelium; (2) secondary proliferation of coelomic epithelium; (3) finding of PAS‐positive material within the fetal cortex; (4) decline and disappearance of the fetal cortex; and (5) establishment and stabilization of the definitive zonular patterns. Significant features occurring in this development were: (1) the origin of both permanent and fetal cortex from proliferation of coelomic epithelium; (2) the appearance of PAS‐positive granules surrounding a homogenous mass in the fetal cortex and the zona reticularis during maturation and organization; and (3) the gradual establishment of definitive zones by proliferation of the permanent cortex, maturation of the fetal cortex, and growth of the medulla; with the adult structure of the adrenal gland achieved by the eleventh to fifteenth year without any apparent major involution or hemorrhage.