Final answer:
The correct label for the anterior view of the thyroid gland is the thyroid capsule, which encases the glandular tissue, including the follicles that secrete thyroid hormones T3 and T4, as well as calcitonin-producing parafollicular cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The label for the anterior view of the thyroid gland is the thyroid capsule. The thyroid gland is a large endocrine gland located in the neck and is primarily composed of follicles. These thyroid follicles are spherical in structure and are lined with simple cuboidal epithelium. They contain a viscous fluid known as colloid, which stores the glycoprotein thyroglobulin—precursor to the thyroid hormones. The parafollicular cells, scattered among the follicles, produce the hormone calcitonin. However, the correct answer to the student's question refers to the outermost layer of the thyroid gland, which is the thyroid capsule.
The main hormones produced by thyroid follicle cells are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are vital for regulating metabolic activity and energy use in the body. The thyroid capsule serves as a protective layer for the glandular tissue within.