Herring bodies

Herring bodies are neurosecretory granules found in the posterior pituitary gland. They are named after Percy Theodore Herring, a British physiologist who first described them in 1908. Herring bodies store and release hormones produced by the hypothalamus, specifically oxytocin and vasopressin.

Etymology

The term "Herring bodies" is derived from the name of Percy Theodore Herring, a British physiologist who first described these structures in 1908. Herring's work focused on the pituitary gland and its role in hormone regulation.

Structure and Function

Herring bodies are located in the neurohypophysis, also known as the posterior pituitary gland. They are the terminal portions of the axons coming from the hypothalamus. These structures are filled with neurosecretory granules, which contain the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone or ADH).

The primary function of Herring bodies is to store and release these hormones. When the body requires either oxytocin or vasopressin, these hormones are released from the Herring bodies into the bloodstream.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities in the function or number of Herring bodies can lead to various medical conditions. For example, a deficiency in vasopressin can lead to diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by excessive thirst and overproduction of dilute urine. On the other hand, an excess of vasopressin can result in syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), a condition that causes the body to retain too much water.

Related Terms

• Neurohypophysis: The portion of the pituitary gland where Herring bodies are located.
• Oxytocin: A hormone stored in Herring bodies that plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, and during and after childbirth.
• Vasopressin: A hormone stored in Herring bodies that regulates the body's retention of water.

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