NQ-089 Answer: (D) This is a normal anatomical structure

Discussion: Herring bodies are large, cell like structure but without a nucleus that are found in the posterior pituitary. Identification of Herring bodies is a good help in confirming the tissue of origin from the posterior pituitary but they are not that many and therefore the absence of Herring bodies on a slide does not entirely rule out the possibility of origin from posterior pituitary. Herring bodies should not be mistaken as abnormal structures or toxoplasmosis.

 

These structures represent the terminal end of axons from the hypothalamus and hormones are stored temporarily before being excreted. Both antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin are stored in Herring bodies although they are not stored simultaneously in the same Herring body. In addition, neurophysin I and neurophysin II which bind to oxytocina and anti-diuretic hormone are present. On immunohistochemistry for neurofilament, Herring bodies and axons in the posterior pituitary are highlighted.