The Ultrastructure of the Parathyroid Gland in Cadaveric Embalmed Specimens

Abstract

Objective: This study is to observe ultrastructurally of the parathyroid gland from cadaveric embalmed specimens by light microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy.
Methods: The parathyroid glands were carefully dissected from the posterior surface of thyroid glands of the cadavers of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Each parathyroid was bisected into two, one put into 10% formaldehyde and the other to the 2.5% glutaraldehyde. The first group was prepared for routinely HE staining for light microscopy. The one which the specimen with the best preserved was chosen to prepare for the TEM.
Results: The parathyroids of the cadavers were all well preserved as viewed by light microscopy. They are all reviewed the chief and oxyphil cells which easily distinguishable. The chief cells are more numerous and acquired the characters of actively synthesis of materials. These are the basophilic cytoplasm and large clear nucleus. The oxyphil cells are less numerous and acquired its characters of larger cells, red cytoplasm and dense dark nuclei. When viewed by TEM, it is cleared that the cells are well preserved. The chief cells are characterized by large heterochromatic nucleus and the cytoplasm is filled with the secretory vesicles, some of which the RER and the Golgi apparatus can be observed.
Conclusion: The human tissue from the cadavers of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital was well preserved even viewed by TEM. This may be due to the fact that the fixative was pushed through the great vessels until it circulated throughout the blood vessels of the whole body. Especially the endocrine glands such as the parathyroids which were richen in blood supplies, the fixative might be forced through the capillary sinusoid and then this tissue is highly preservation.