Editing Chromaffin cell (section)

{{short description|Neuroendocrine cells found in adrenal medulla in mammals}}
{{Infobox cell
| Name        = Medullary chromaffin cell
| Latin       = endocrinocytus medullaris
| Image       = Gray1185.png
| Caption     = Adrenal gland. (Medulla labeled at bottom right.)
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Location = Medulla [[adrenal gland]]
}}
'''Chromaffin cells''', also called '''pheochromocytes''' (or '''phaeochromocytes'''), are [[neuroendocrine cell]]s found mostly in the [[adrenal medulla|medulla]] of the [[adrenal gland]]s  in [[mammal]]s. These cells serve a variety of functions such as serving as a response to stress, monitoring carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations in the body, maintenance of respiration and the regulation of blood pressure.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schober|first1=Andreas|last2=Parlato|first2=Rosanna|last3=Huber|first3=Katrin|last4=Kinscherf|first4=Ralf|last5=Hartleben|first5=Björn|last6=Huber|first6=Tobias B|last7=Schütz|first7=Günther|last8=Unsicker|first8=Klaus|year = 2013|title=Cell Loss and Autophagy in the Extra-Adrenal Chromaffin Organ of Zuckerkandl are Regulated by Glucocorticoid Signalling|journal=Journal of Neuroendocrinology|volume=25|issue=1|pages=34–47|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2826.2012.02367.x|issn=0953-8194|pmc=3564403|pmid=23078542}}</ref>  They are in close proximity to pre-synaptic [[sympathetic ganglia]] of the [[sympathetic nervous system]], with which they communicate, and structurally they are similar to post-synaptic sympathetic neurons. In order to activate chromaffin cells, the [[Splanchnic nerves|splanchnic nerve]] of the sympathetic nervous system releases acetylcholine, which then binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the adrenal medulla. This causes the release of catecholamines. The chromaffin cells release [[catecholamine]]s: ~80% of [[adrenaline]] ([[epinephrine]]) and ~20%  of [[noradrenaline]] ([[norepinephrine]]) into [[systemic circulation]] for systemic effects on multiple organs (similarly to secretory neurones of the [[hypothalamus]]), and can also send [[paracrine]] signals. Hence they are called neuroendocrine cells.