Endocrine Histology: Interactive Quizzes for Medical Students

Question 1

Which hormone exerts primary control over thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Answer

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Answer

Somatostatin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 2

In the adrenal cortex, which zone is responsible for producing glucocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona reticularis

Question 3

Enlargement of which pituitary cell type is the histological hallmark of acromegaly?

Accepted Answer

Acidophils

Answer

Mammotrophs

Answer

Basophils

Answer

Chromophobes

Question 4

Which cell type lines the adrenal medulla?

Accepted Answer

Chromaffin cells

Answer

Granulosa cells

Answer

Leydig cells

Answer

Sertoli cells

Question 5

Papillary hyperplasia is a histological feature characteristic of which thyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

Graves' disease

Answer

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Answer

Nodular goiter

Answer

Thyroid carcinoma

Question 6

Which hormone is secreted by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex?

Accepted Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Dehydroepiandrosterone

Answer

Estrogen

Question 7

Describe the histological features and clinical significance of the pituitary stalk.

Accepted Answer

A thin, fibrous stalk connecting the anterior and posterior pituitary glands, containing neural axons and blood vessels.

Answer

A thick, muscular stalk containing hormone-secreting cells.

Answer

A cartilaginous structure that supports the pituitary gland.

Answer

A vascularized stalk involved in nutrient exchange.

Question 8

Which cell type in the thyroid gland synthesizes and releases thyroid hormones?

Accepted Answer

Follicular cells

Answer

Parafollicular cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Acinar cells

Question 9

Which layer of the adrenal cortex is situated innermost?

Accepted Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Question 10

Name the primary hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands.

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Testosterone

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of acinar cells in the pancreas?

Accepted Answer

Zymogen granules

Answer

Serous cells

Answer

Mucous cells

Answer

Vacuoles

Question 12

The pineal gland is primarily involved in regulating which bodily function?

Accepted Answer

Sleep-wake cycle

Answer

Reproduction

Answer

Hormone synthesis

Answer

Metabolism

Question 13

Which neurosecretory hormone plays a role in milk production?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Somatostatin

Answer

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Answer

Corticotropin-releasing hormone

Question 14

The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex is responsible for producing which steroid hormone?

Accepted Answer

Glucocorticoids

Answer

Mineralocorticoids

Answer

Androgens

Answer

Estrogens

Question 15

Which hormone regulates the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 16

Which hormone is primarily produced by the pineal gland?

Accepted Answer

Melatonin

Answer

Thyroxine

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Prolactin

Question 17

Within the thyroid gland, where can parafollicular cells be found?

Accepted Answer

Between thyroid follicles

Answer

Inside thyroid follicles

Answer

Adjacent to the thyroid capsule

Answer

Dispersed within the connective tissue outside the gland

Question 18

Which zone of the adrenal cortex is responsible for glucocorticoid production?

Accepted Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Medulla

Question 19

What is the distinguishing characteristic of follicular colloid in the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Positive Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction

Answer

Eosinophilic staining

Answer

Basophilic staining

Answer

Resistance to diastase digestion

Question 20

Which hormone is synthesized and secreted by C cells of the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Calcitonin

Answer

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Thyroglobulin

Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Question 21

In the pituitary gland, which cell type is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of growth hormone?

Accepted Answer

Somatotropes

Answer

Lactotrophs

Answer

Corticotropes

Answer

Thyrotropes

Question 22

Which hormone is responsible for regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphate levels?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone

Answer

Calcitonin

Answer

Antidiuretic hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 23

Within the adrenal cortex, which zone is responsible for secreting mineralocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Medulla

Question 24

In the thyroid gland, which cell type is responsible for synthesizing and secreting thyroglobulin?

Accepted Answer

Follicular cells

Answer

Parafollicular cells

Answer

C cells

Answer

Intercalated cells

Question 25

Which of the following hormones is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Somatotropin

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Question 26

Which hormone is responsible for stimulating the release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Thyrotropin

Answer

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Growth hormone

Question 27

What is a primary function of the adrenal medulla?

Accepted Answer

To secrete hormones that prepare the body for 'fight or flight' responses

Answer

To regulate blood pressure

Answer

To control blood sugar levels

Answer

To regulate electrolyte balance

Question 28

Which cell type in the parathyroid glands is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone?

Accepted Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Oxyphil cells

Answer

Clear cells

Answer

Dark cells

Question 29

The thyroid gland produces which hormone?

Accepted Answer

Thyroxine (T4)

Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer

Estrogen

Question 30

Where in the adrenal cortex is aldosterone produced?

Accepted Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Medulla

Question 31

What hormone regulates thyroid hormone production?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Question 32

Which pituitary hormone stimulates milk production?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Question 33

What is a primary function of the adrenal medulla?

Accepted Answer

Catecholamine release

Answer

Gluconeogenesis

Answer

Mineralocorticoid synthesis

Answer

Estrogen production

Question 34

In the anterior pituitary gland, which cell type synthesizes growth hormone?

Accepted Answer

Somatotrophs

Answer

Lactotrophs

Answer

Thyrotrophs

Answer

Gonadotrophs

Question 35

The lining of the thyroid follicle is composed of which type of epithelial cells?

Accepted Answer

Cuboidal

Answer

Squamous

Answer

Columnar

Answer

Pseudostratified

Question 36

Which hormone is primarily produced by the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Question 37

From which embryonic layer does the adrenal medulla originate?

Accepted Answer

Neural crest

Answer

Ectoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Answer

Endoderm

Question 38

The primary hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex is:

Accepted Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Dehydroepiandrosterone

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 39

Which cells in the anterior pituitary secrete growth hormone?

Accepted Answer

Somatotropes

Answer

Thyrotropes

Answer

Gonadotropes

Answer

Prolactin secreting cells

Question 40

Which layer of the adrenal cortex synthesizes mineralcorticoids?

Accepted Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Medulla

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Question 41

The parathyroid glands are primarily composed of:

Accepted Answer

Chief cells and oxyphil cells

Answer

Acinar cells and ductal cells

Answer

Follicular cells and C cells

Answer

Sertoli cells and Leydig cells

Question 42

Which hormone plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood calcium levels?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Answer

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Question 43

The predominant hormone secreted by the pineal gland is:

Accepted Answer

Melatonin

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Insulin

Question 44

Which of the following statements about endocrine glands is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

They are directly innervated by the nervous system

Answer

They release hormones into the bloodstream

Answer

They are often ductless

Answer

They target specific cells or organs with their hormonal signals

Question 45

The adrenal medulla originates from which embryonic tissue?

Accepted Answer

Neural crest cells

Answer

Endoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Question 46

A primary function of thyroid hormone is to:

Accepted Answer

Regulate metabolism

Answer

Maintain blood pressure

Answer

Promote erythropoiesis

Answer

Enhance bone growth

Question 47

The unique histological feature of the endocrine pancreas is:

Accepted Answer

Islets of Langerhans embedded within exocrine tissue

Answer

Stratified squamous epithelium with goblet cells

Answer

Simple columnar epithelium with scattered Paneth cells

Answer

Alveolar structures lined by columnar cells

Question 48

Which of the following accurately describes the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Acidophilic cells are primarily located in the anterior lobe

Answer

Cuboidal cells are found in the cortex

Answer

C cells are found in the medulla

Answer

Follicular architecture is present

Question 49

What is the cell type lining the follicles in the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Cuboidal

Answer

Squamous

Answer

Columnar

Answer

Pseudostratified

Question 50

Where in the adrenal gland are cells responsible for producing epinephrine located?

Accepted Answer

Medulla

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Question 51

Which pituitary hormone is produced by acidophilic cells?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Question 52

Describe the histological characteristics of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland.

Accepted Answer

Large, polygonal cells arranged in columns

Answer

Columnar cells arranged in tubules

Answer

Cuboidal cells arranged in follicles

Answer

Small, round cells arranged in clusters

Question 53

Which type of connective tissue is found between the follicles of the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Loose connective tissue

Answer

Cartilage

Answer

Adipose tissue

Answer

Dense connective tissue

Question 54

Which hormone is responsible for regulating calcium levels in the blood?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 55

Where are hormones stored in adrenal medullary cells?

Accepted Answer

Chromaffin granules

Answer

Ribosomes

Answer

Secretory vesicles

Answer

Lysosomes

Question 56

What is the key histological difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary?

Accepted Answer

The posterior pituitary lacks capillaries

Answer

The anterior pituitary is larger than the posterior pituitary

Answer

The anterior pituitary is located in the sella turcica

Answer

The posterior pituitary has more acidophilic cells