chromaffin cells

Cells that store epinephrine secretory vesicles. During times of stress, the nervous system signals the vesicles to secrete their hormonal content. Their name derives from their ability to stain a brownish colour with chromic salts. Characteristically, they are located in the adrenal medulla and paraganglia (paraganglia, chromaffin) of the sympathetic nervous system.

(12 Dec 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: cells, store, epinephrine, secretory vesicles, times, stress, nervous system, signals, vesicles, secrete, hormonal, content, name, derives, ability, stain, colour, salts, adrenal medulla, paraganglia, paraganglia, chromaffin, sympathetic nervous system
Previous terms: christ-siemens-touraine syndrome, chrom-, chroma, chromaffin, chromaffin body, chromaffin granules, chromaffinoma, chromaffinopathy