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TY - JOUR AU - JAROSLOW, BERNARD N. PY - 1967 DA - 1967/07/01 TI - Genesis of Hassall's Corpuscles JO - Nature SP - 408 EP - 409 VL - 215 IS - 5099 AB - HASSALL'S corpuscles, a characteristic structure of the thymus, are composed of acidophilic concentrically arranged cells. Only two hypotheses1,2 for the genesis of these corpuscles account for the epithelioid character of their cells, their extensive branching3, the presence of a lumen at different stages of their development, and the presence of vascular elements within them. If the Hassall's corpuscles have a vascular origin4,5, this suggests that they are derived from the occlusion of capillary segments followed by inspissation of their contents, and necrosis of the vascular endothelium with proliferation of the neighbouring epithelium to form their typical “onion-like” structure. The other hypothesis3,6 suggests that Hassall's corpuscles develop from persistent thymopharyngeal ducts lined with epithelium and that the frequent vascular elements are derived from the associated venules. Our evidence—obtained during an investigation of antigen localization in organs—supports the blood vessel origin of Hassall's corpuscles. SN - 1476-4687 UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/215408a0 DO - 10.1038/215408a0 ID - JAROSLOW1967 ER -