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The thyroid gland of the mouse consists of two elongated lobes surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The lobes of the thyroid gland contain follicles lined by follicle cells (simple cuboidal epithelial cells) and filled with colloid, an eosinophilic secretion. Depending on their secretory activity follicle cells may have a low (inactive) or high (highly active) columnar shape. Between the follicles are C cells or parafollicular cells.
The 4X and 10X micrographs show the lobes of the thyroid gland, in between which the parathyroid gland is embedded. The 20X and 40X micrographs display the thyroid follicles in increasing detail. The 40X micrograph shows that the colloid filling of the thyroid follicles. The 40X micrograph also shows the follicle cells lining the thyroid follicles and the C cells between the thyroid follicles.
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