The Development of the Islets of Langerhans in the Human Fœtus

A histological study was made of the pancreatic islets of thirty‐seven human fœtuses, with weights ranging from 28 to 3600 g. (10 weeks' gestation to full term), using Gomori's methods of differential staining for the alpha and beta cells. Five stages of development of the islets were observed. These are described and illustrated by photomicrographs. The way in which these results supplement or differ from those of previous workers is discussed, and some experimental work concerning the influence of anterior pituitary hormones on the development of the pancreatic islets in other species is briefly reviewed.