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Fine structure and innervation of the avian adrenal gland

IV. Fine structure of interrenal cells

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Summary

Cords of interrenal-cells of birds resemble “tubes without lumina”, which are lined by columnar cells arranged in double rows. A subcapsular and an inner zone of the interrenal gland may be distinguished according to the structure of their mitochondria, the existence of smooth and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and the lipid contents. The cells of the inner zone are clearly polarized. The extrusion of lipid by exocytosis is discussed. It is often difficult to decide, whether ultrastructural details are species - specific or indicate a certain state of function.

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  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Kiel, D-2300, Kiel, FRG

    K. Unsicker

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This work was supported by a grant from the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (Un 34/1).

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Unsicker, K. Fine structure and innervation of the avian adrenal gland. Z.Zellforsch 146, 385–402 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02346230

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