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Parafollicular cells, also called C cells, are neuroendocrine cells in the thyroid. They are called C cells because the primary function of these cells is to secrete calcitonin. [1] They are located adjacent to the thyroid follicles and reside in the connective tissue. These cells are large and have a pale stain compared with the follicular cells.
Calcitonin is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by parafollicular cells (also known as C cells) of the thyroid (or endostyle) in humans and other chordates [5] in the ultimopharyngeal body. [6] It acts to reduce blood calcium (Ca 2+), opposing the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH). [7]
Calcitonin-producing parafollicular cells are also found along the basement membrane of the thyroid follicle, interspersed between follicular cells; and in spaces between the spherical follicles. Parafollicular cells can be distinguished from follicular cells based on their lighter staining cytoplasm using H&E.
Parafollicular cells. Scattered among follicular cells and in spaces between the spherical follicles are another type of thyroid cell, parafollicular cells. [4] These cells secrete calcitonin and so are also called C cells. [17]
Calcitonin, produced by the parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid gland in response to rising blood calcium levels, depresses blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone matrix resorption and enhancing calcium deposit in bones. Excessive secretion cause hyperthyroidism and deficiency cause hypothyroidism.
It is composed of 116 amino acids and is produced by parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid and by the neuroendocrine cells of the lung and the intestine. The level of procalcitonin in the blood stream of healthy individuals is below the limit of detection (0.01 μg/L) of clinical assays. [3]
It develops into the parafollicular cells of the thyroid. [2] The cells that give rise to the parafollicular cells are derivatives of endoderm . [ 3 ] Endoderm cells migrate and associate with the ultimopharyngeal body during development.
Medullary thyroid cancer is a form of thyroid carcinoma which originates from the parafollicular cells (C cells), which produce the hormone calcitonin. [1] Medullary tumors are the third most common of all thyroid cancers and together make up about 3% of all thyroid cancer cases. [2] MTC was first characterized in 1959. [3]