Open AccessSOLID CELL NEST (SCN) OF THE HUMAN THYROID GLAND
Author(s) -
Yamaoka Yutaka
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
acta patholigica japonica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 0001-6632
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1973.tb01220.x
Subject(s) - histogenesis , thyroid , anatomy , pathology , biology , cytoplasm , autopsy , medicine , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
In order to study the histological features and the histogenesis of the solid cell nest (SCN) of the human thyroid gland, 388 glands obtained from autopsy cases were examined in detail. The SCN is located in the interfolllcular space, as one or several groups of cells which show a large, light cytoplasm and nucleus. It Is circumscribed by a basement membranelike structure and is separated from the surrounding follicles. The size of the SCN first increases as age increases and then it tends to decrease as age advances further. This is similar to that of the follicles. Although the shape of the SCN usually appears to be round under single histological section, reconstruction revealed that the SCN takes a very irregular form, and that apparently separated groups of SCNs seen in a single section are actually connected with each other and form one SCN. The SCN was found in 81 cases (21%): 74 cases had one SCN, 13 cases had two to four SCNs in one lobe, 4 cases had two to six SCNs in two lobes. It was found in both fetus and aged with equal incidence. The number of SCNs was found equally in two lobes, and never found in the isthmus. No amyloid deposition, keratinizations or intercellular bridges are found in the SCN. Four out of 388 cases examined had aberrant thymus tissues and two of them were located closely to the SCN. Various hypothesis about the histogenesis of the SCN have been reviewed. However, the present study warrants none of them.