Anatomy, Histology, Ultrastructure, Parathyroid, Mouse

Abstract

The parathyroids of mice, like those of the rat and hamster, are paired organs situated lateral to, and often lying in a depression of, the thyroid gland (Fig. 253). In strain OF1 the glands are frequently found as a solid mass (Fig. 254) or as elongated, fish-shaped structures. In some older animals a small gland, often hard to discern, can be detected embedded within thyroid tissue (Fig.255). In Swiss mice the glands are usually oval, 1.0×0.5 mm in dimension and difficult to detect grossly. They are generally surrounded by a thin, loose capsule, branches of which follow the capillaries within the gland. Occasional mast cells, fat cells and nonmyelinated nerve fibers are present in the delicate interstitium (Coleman and Silbermann 1978).