The fine structure of the vesicular component of the ultimobranchial gland of the domestic fowl

Summary The ultrastructure of the polymorphic vesicular component of the ultimobranchial gland of the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) has been described in detail, together with the structure of the cell strands interconnecting the vesicles and the parathyroid nodules lying within the ultimobranchial stroma. The vesicles frequently appear to arise from the nodules by way of the cell strands. The strands show a structure of their component cells intermediate between that of the parathyroid and the vesicular cells, although the position at which the strand changes from an essentially parathyroid structure to an essentially vesicular structure is very variable. The degree and kind of secretory activity within different cell types has been described. A review of the structure of ultimobranchial glands throughout the vertebrates shows that similar tissue with a similar secretory potential has been observed in all vertebrate classes, suggesting a functional significance for this part of the gland.