In the human endocrine system, a spongiocyte is a cell in the

zona fasciculata The ''zona fasciculata'' (sometimes, fascicular or fasciculate zone) constitutes the middle and also the widest zone of the adrenal cortex, sitting directly beneath the ''zona glomerulosa''. Constituent cells are organized into bundles or "fascicl ...

of the

adrenal cortex The adrenal cortex is the outer region and also the largest part of an adrenal gland. It is divided into three separate zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Each zone is responsible for producing specific hormones. It ...

containing

lipid Lipids are a broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The functions of lipids incl ...

droplets that show pronounced

vacuolization Vacuolization is the formation of vacuoles or vacuole-like structures, within or adjacent to cells. Nuclear envelope, Perinuclear vacuolization of epidermis, epidermal Keratinocyte, keratinocytes is most likely inconsequential when not observed ...

, due to the way the cells are prepared for

microscopic examination Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye (objects that are not within the resolution range of the normal eye). There are three well-known branches of micr ...

. The lipid droplets contain neutral fats, fatty acids, cholesterol, and phospholipids; all of which are precursors to the steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. The principal hormone secreted from the cells of the

are glucocorticoids, but some androgens are produced as well.

References

* The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary * Histology, 5th Edition; Michael H. Ross and W. Pawlina Chapter 21, Endocrine Organs Endocrine system {{Anatomy-stub