Acidophil cell

In the anterior pituitary, the term "acidophil" is used to describe two different types of cells:

• somatotrophs, which generate somatotropin (also known as growth hormone; a protein hormone).
• mammotrophs, which generate prolactin (a protein hormone).

When using standard staining techniques, they cannot be distinguished from each other (though they can be distinguished from basophils and chromophobes),^[1] and are therefore identified simply as "acidophils".

See also

• Acidophile (histology)
• Basophilic
• Oxyphil cell

References

1. ↑ Histology image:14002loa from Vaughan, Deborah (2002). A Learning System in Histology: CD-ROM and Guide. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195151732.