Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Adaptations of the Human Thyroid Gland Parenchyma with Age: A Necropsy Evaluation

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 389–400

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000200

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Adaptations of the Human Thyroid Gland Parenchyma with Age: A Necropsy Evaluation

Names of Authors: Siddharth S. Sharma¹, Rohan K. Verma²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India; ²Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Abstract:
Aging is associated with structural changes in endocrine tissues that can influence metabolic secretory capacity. This necropsy study quantified the age-related histomorphometric modifications within the thyroid gland parenchyma, focusing on follicle size, epithelial cell height, and capillary network coverage. Eighty thyroid glands were harvested during medicolegal autopsies of individuals who died of sudden non-endocrine causes, divided into a Young group (aged 20 to 35 years, n = 40) and an Elderly group (aged 65 to 80 years, n = 40). Sections were processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and CD34 to evaluate the microvasculature. The mean thyroid follicle diameter increased significantly in the elderly group (184.5 ± 12.5 μm vs 122.4 ± 8.4 μm in the young group, p < 0.01), reflecting colloid retention within macrofollicles. Concurrently, the follicular epithelial lining cell height decreased significantly from 8.4 ± 0.6 μm in young tissues to 4.2 ± 0.3 μm in elderly specimens (p < 0.001), indicating follicular cell flattening and hypofunction. CD34 immunostaining demonstrated a significant 36.4% reduction in the interfollicular capillary density within the aging glands (p < 0.01). These morphological metrics reveal a clear structural decline, showing that the aging thyroid displays epithelial atrophy and reduced vascular support independent of primary organ pathology.

Keywords: Thyroid Gland, Histomorphometry, CD34, Interfollicular Capillaries, Thyroid Follicle, Necropsy

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 11, 2026; Revised: September 11, 2026; Accepted: September 22, 2026; Published: September 30, 2026

Citation: Sharma S.S., & Verma R.K. (2026). Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Adaptations of the Human Thyroid Gland Parenchyma with Age: A Necropsy Evaluation. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 389–400. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000200

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