parathyroid chief cell parathyroid chief cell parathyroid chief cells (also called parathyroid principal cells or simply parathyroid cells) are one of the two cell types of the parathyroid glands, along with oxyphil cells. the chief cells are much more prevalent in the parathyroid gland than the oxyphil cells. it is perceived that oxyphil cells may be derived from chief cells at puberty, as they are not present at birth like chief cells. parathyroid chief cellmicrograph of a parathyroid gland. h&e stain.detailslocationparathyroid glandidentifiersthh3.08.02.5.00002 fma69078anatomical terms of microanatomy most individuals display four parathyroid glands adjacent to the thyroid gland anterior in the neck. histology the chief cells are organized as dense cords surrounding the capillaries in the parathyroid. chief cells appear as a dark purple in an h&e stain, with the oxyphil cells staining as a lighter pink. they are polygonal in shape with a round nucleus. chief cells spend most time inactive due to normal calcium level conditions. these inactive cells are classified as cuboidal. they have low levels of secretory granules, as opposed to active chief cells. these granules can contain acid phosphatase. acid phosphatase is only found in larger secretory granules, 400 to 900 nm in diameter, and is less prevalent in smaller granules. this acid phosphatase is also present in the golgi apparatus of the chief cell. however, the golgi apparatus areas associated with parathyroid hormone packaging contained little or no acid phosphatase. the chief cells become active in response to low calcium in the blood. the low level is sensed by the calcium- sensing receptor. these active cells have a greater electron density than the inactive chief cells. the electron density is caused by the secretory granules. the chief cell is thought to have a clear cytoplasm. function