chief cell [Fr, chef; L, cella, storeroom] , 1. any one of the simple columnar epithelial cells or the simple cuboidal epithelial cells that line the gastric glands and secrete pepsinogen and intrinsic factor, which are needed for the digestion and absorption of vitamin B12 and the normal development of red blood cells. Pernicious anemia may be caused by the absence of intrinsic factor. Also called zymogenic cell. 2. any one of the epithelioid cells with pale-staining cytoplasm and a large nucleus containing a prominent nucleolus. Cords of such cells form the main substance of the pineal body. 3. any one of the polyhedral epithelial cells, within the parathyroid glands, which contain pale, clear cytoplasm and a vesicular nucleus.
