A somatomammotroph or somatomammotrophic cell, also known as a somatolactotroph or somatolactotrophic cell, is a type of
cell of the
anterior pituitary gland
The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior) is a major organ of the endocrine system. The anterior pituitary is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis) makes up ...
that produces both
somatotropin (growth hormone) and
prolactin
Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin and mammotropin, is a protein best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. It is influential in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans. Prolactin is secr ...
. Cells that secrete only somatotropin or only prolactin are known as
somatotrophs and
mammotrophs, respectively.
Approximately 15-20% of the cells in the normal pituitary gland are somatomammotrophs.
See also
*
Acidophil cell
*
List of human cell types derived from the germ layers
This is a list of Cell (biology), cells in humans derived from the three embryonic germ layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
Cells derived from ectoderm
Surface ectoderm Skin
* Trichocyte (human), Trichocyte
* Keratinocyte
Anterior pi ...
References
Peptide hormone secreting cells
Human cells
Histology
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