Junction Between Z. Reticularis and the Medulla

The cells of the zona reticularis produce small amounts of sex hormones. Being steroid synthesising and metabolizing cells, they have lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. These droplets appear as vacuoles in routine tissue preparations, thus the cytoplasm is quite pale. The nuclei of the reticularis cells are small and dark in this picture. The cells of the medulla produced biogenic amines (catecholamines), epinephrine and norepinephrine. The cells are large and have vesicular nuclei. You can see the nucleoli in some of the nuclei. The cytoplasm of the glandular cells in the medulla is basophilic and contain small granules. The large channel is a sinusoid. Original mag. 100x H&E Adrenal medulla. Endocrine System. Dog.