ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pulmonary epithelium
;
Human fetus
;
Endocrine cells
;
APUD cells
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Electron microscopic investigations of the pulmonary epithelium of human foetuses reveal the occurrence of cells exhibiting fine-structural characteristics of polypeptide hormone producing APUD cells. Three types of cells were identified mainly on basis of the morphology of their secretory granules. Cells of type 1 have the appearance of monoamine storing cells and the dense core of vesiculated granules of these cells are reactive to argentaffine reaction performed directly on ultra-thin sections. Cells of type 2 contain granules of uniform shape and size and of rather homogeneous appearance. Besides in larger bronchial tubules these cells are localized in the epithelium of developing alveoli. Cells of type 3 with large osmiophilic granules tightly bound by a membrane are few and scattered. These cells are observed in larger bronchial tubuli only.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307413
