English: Intermediate magnification micrograph of the parathyroid gland. H&E stain. Excised surgically for parathyroid adenoma - not seen on image.

Cells of the parathyroid:

• Parathyroid chief cells - intense hyperchromatic to eosinophilic cytoplasmic staining (see notes), abundant in number, moderate amount of cytoplasm, function - manufacture PTH.
• Oxyphil cells - moderate/light hyperchromatic to eosinophilic, rare, abundant amount of cytoplasm, function - not known.
• Adipocytes - seen in older people, increases with age.

Notes:

• Cytoplasmic staining varies considerably on H&E preparations - it may vary from hyperchromatic to clear to eosinophilic.
• Chief cells tend to stain more intensely than oxyphil cells.

Related images

Parathyroid gland

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  Low mag.
• 
  Intermed. mag.
• 
  High mag.
• 
  High mag. (cropped)
• 
  High mag. (cropped)

Parathyroid adenoma

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  Low mag.
• 
  Intermed. mag.
• 
  High mag.