Nomenclature of the hormone-producing cells in the adenohypophysis: A report of the international committee for nomenclature of the adenohypophysis

Abstract

The International Committee for Nomenclature of the Adenohypophysis calls attention to the necessity for improving the present chaotic situation in the nomenclature of the hormone-producing cells in the adenohypophysis. A full description of the cell types must be based upon both morphological and functional criteria, but there will be cases in which a morphological description is the only practical one. The Committee recommends a standard system of functional names for the cell types but is unable to recommend a standard system of morphological nomenclature. However, the Committee draws attention, to certain criteria that must be satisfied if morphological descriptions are to be satisfactorily reproducible.