CELLULAR INVOLUTION IN THE THYROID GLAND*

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Abstract
By involution of the thyroid ("follicular involution") is meant that process in which follicular colloid is redeposited and follicular epithelium returns to the flattened resting state after a period of hyperplasia. This phenomenon contrasts with certain other epithelial alterations which take place under a variety of conditions and might well be termed "cellular involution." The most prominent of these changes is the formation of the eosinophilic elements commonly called Hurthle cells in lesions of the thyroid generally regarded as regressive. Recognition of the fact that cellular involution is common to a number of diseases may aid in understanding the pathologic physiology of the thyroid gland. Numerous examples of cellular involution in the thyroid have been studied during the past 5 yrs., at the Army Inst. of Pathology. The conditions in which the phenomenon was observed included Hashimoto''s disease, myxedema, "exhaustion" atrophy and exophthalmic goiter. Identical alterations were observed consequent to roentgen therapy, treatment with thiouracil and subtotal resection. The occurrence of cellular involution can be taken as an indication that the altered glandular elements had "burned out" as a result of over-stimulation. Thus the thyroid shares with certain other of the endocrine organs a tendency to enter an inactive phase after it has undergone a prolonged period of excessive activity.

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