What are chromaffin bodies?

Chromaffin paraganglia (also called chromaffin bodies) are connected with the ganglia of the sympathetic trunk and the ganglia of the celiac, renal, adrenal, aortic and hypogastric plexuses. They are concentrated near the adrenal glands and essentially function the same way as the adrenal medulla.

Why are they called chromaffin cells?

The word ‘Chromaffin’ comes from a portmanteau of chromium and affinity. They are named as such because they can be visualised by staining with chromium salts. Chromium salts oxidise and polymerise catecholamines to form a brown color, most strongly in the cells secreting noradrenaline.

Where are chromaffin cells derived from?

adrenal medulla
Within the adrenal medulla are chromaffin cells, which are homologous to sympathetic neurons and, like sympathetic neurons, are developed from embryonic neural crest cells.

What is a chromaffin reaction?

The freshly cut tumor surface turns dark brown (right half of image) when immersed in potassium dichromate solution (pH between 5 and 6). This is due to oxidation of stored catecholamines synthesized by the tumor and is known as the Chromaffin Reaction.

Are chromaffin cells neurons?

Chromaffin cells probably are the most intensively studied of the neural crest derivates. They are closely related to the nervous system, share with neurons some fundamental mechanisms and thus were the ideal model to study the basic mechanisms of neurobiology for many years.

What catecholamine means?

Listen to pronunciation. (ka-teh-KOH-luh-meen) A type of neurohormone (a chemical that is made by nerve cells and used to send signals to other cells). Catecholamines are important in stress responses.

What is catecholamine metabolism?

Catecholamine metabolism is an important target of therapeutic drugs and other chemical agents. Catecholamines are produced locally within the sympathetic neurons by metabolism of tyrosine (Fig. 6-7) to dopamine. Dopamine is concentrated into vesicles via vesicular monoamine transporters.

What is the function of catecholamines?

Catecholamines are hormones that the brain, nerve tissues, and adrenal glands produce. The body releases catecholamines in response to emotional or physical stress. Catecholamines are responsible for the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline are all catecholamines.

What is the mechanism of catecholamines?

Catecholamines cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity (the fight-or-flight response). Some typical effects are increases in heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and a general reaction of the sympathetic nervous system.

Where are chromaffin cells found?

(Medulla labeled at bottom right.) Chromaffin cells, also pheochromocytes, are neuroendocrine cells found mostly in the medulla of the adrenal glands in mammals.

What does Chromafin mean in medical terms?

( krō’maf-in ), Avoid the mispronunciation chromaf’fin. Giving a brownish yellow reaction with chromic salts; denoting certain cells in the medulla of the adrenal glands and in paraganglia. See also: chromaffin reaction. Readily stained with chromium salts: chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla.

Giving a brownish yellow reaction with chromic salts; denoting certain cells in the medulla of the adrenal glands and in paraganglia. See also: chromaffin reaction. Readily stained with chromium salts: chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla.

What are chromaffin cell ganglia?

Chromaffin cell ganglia (also called paraganglia) – with adrenal medulla representing the largest of them – are neuroendocrine organs, diffusely scattered throughout the human body and associated with autonomic nervous system explaining why pheochromocytomas may be found practically in any location.