Thyroid, LM - stock photo

Thyroid gland. Light micrograph (LM) of a thyroid gland showing the follicles. The follicles are lined by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells (orange), which synthesise and secrete the iodine-containing hormones T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The thyroid follicle is filled with a glycoprotein substance called thyroglobulin or thyroid colloid (red), which is a storage form of the thyroid hormones. When actively secreting hormones the lining cells are large and cuboidal, when less active the follicles are distended and the secretory cells flattened. Magnification: x800 when printed 10cm wide.