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Related Concept Videos

The Pineal Gland01:02

The Pineal Gland

The pineal gland, a diminutive endocrine structure named for its pinecone-shaped appearance, is situated atop the third ventricle within the diencephalon region of the forebrain. This gland, composed of secretory cells known as pinealocytes arranged in compact cords and clusters around dense particles of calcium salts, plays a pivotal role in hormonal regulation.
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...

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Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Pineal Biopsy from a Single Entry Point
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Growth patterns for acervuli in human pineal gland.

Jinkyung Kim1, Hyun-Wook Kim, Soeun Chang

  • 1X-ray Imaging Center, School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea.

Scientific Reports
|December 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Pineal gland acervuli, or brain sand, exhibit unique growth patterns. This study visualizes their 3-D structure, revealing mulberry-like formations and large-scale lamination influenced by nucleation density.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomineralization
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Acervuli are calcified concretions found in the human pineal gland (PG).
  • Their incidence and size are linked to neurological disorders and PG functions like circadian rhythm regulation.
  • The precise growth mechanisms of acervuli remain largely unelucidated despite extensive research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the growth morphology of acervuli in human pineal glands.
  • To visualize acervuli in three dimensions (3-D) using advanced imaging techniques.
  • To propose a novel hypothesis for acervuli growth patterns based on nucleation density.

Main Methods:

  • Employed synchrotron X-ray imaging for direct 3-D visualization of acervuli within entire human pineal glands.
  • Analyzed the size distribution of non-aggregated acervuli.
  • Utilized 3-D volume rendering to examine surface morphology and aggregate structures.

Main Results:

  • Non-aggregated acervuli displayed a Gaussian size distribution, with an average diameter of 47±28 µm.
  • 3-D imaging revealed mulberry-like structures resulting from laminated, bumpy surfaces.
  • Coalescence of multiple acervuli led to large-scale lamination in aggregates.

Conclusions:

  • A novel hypothesis for acervuli growth is proposed, dependent on nucleation density (N(d)).
  • Low nucleation density results in mulberry-like structures.
  • High nucleation density promotes large-scale lamination within acervuli aggregates.