Fig. 2, NK-1-a, parathyroid gland, HE.
Two parenchymal cell types can be distinguished in routine
H&E sections: chief cells (principal cells) and oxyphil cells.
The chief cells are more numerous. They contain a spherical
nucleus surrounded by a small amount of cytoplasm.
Oxyphil cells are less numerous. They are conspicuously
larger than chief cells but have a slightly smaller and more
intensely staining nucleus. Their cytoplasm stains with eosin,
and the boundaries between the cells are usually well
marked.