The normal parathyroid gland at autopsy: the significance of stromal fat in adult patients

Traditionally half of the cell population of the adult parathyroid gland is considered to be stromal fat. A marked decrease of stromal fat has been observed at autopsy of adult patients, the functional significance of which is unknown. In order to investigate this phenomenon, the stromal and parench...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of pathology Vol. 128; no. 3; p. 127
Main Authors Dekker, A, Dunsford, H A, Geyer, S J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.07.1979
Subjects
Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Lipids - analysis
Male
Middle Aged
Organ Size
Parathyroid Glands - analysis
Parathyroid Glands - anatomy & histology
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Traditionally half of the cell population of the adult parathyroid gland is considered to be stromal fat. A marked decrease of stromal fat has been observed at autopsy of adult patients, the functional significance of which is unknown. In order to investigate this phenomenon, the stromal and parenchymal fat of the parathyroid glands of 33 adult patients who died with no known hormonal abnormalities were evaluated. Stromal fat was much less than 50 per cent, i.e., less than 10 per cent., in the majority of cases, while parenchymal fat was ample in all cases. This finding, especially if compared to cases with hyperparathyroidism, indicates the lack of functional specificity of change in stromal fat, whereas, alteration in parenchymal fat appears to be a better anatomical register of normal or abnormal parathyroid function.
ISSN:0022-3417
DOI:10.1002/path.1711280303