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Comparative histology of pineal calcification
1Department of Human Morphology and Developmental Biology, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary. vigh@ana2.sote.hu
Histology and Histopathology
|August 5, 1998
Summary
Brain sand, or corpora arenacea, are calcified pineal gland concretions useful for imaging. Their formation involves a multifactorial mechanism, with calcium deposits influenced by age and potentially parathyroid regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Histology
- Biomineralization
Background:
- The pineal gland contains calcified concretions known as brain sand (corpora arenacea).
- These concretions are visible in imaging and serve as anatomical landmarks.
- Their composition is primarily calcium and magnesium salts, increasing with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural localization of calcium ions in the human pineal gland.
- To compare the structure and formation of intrapineal and meningeal acervuli.
- To explore the potential role of the parathyroid gland in acervuli formation.
Main Methods:
- Potassium pyroantimonate (PPA) staining for ultrastructural calcium localization.
- Kossa's method for staining calcium deposits.
- Histological examination of pineal organs in humans and various animal species.
Main Results:
- Calcium ions are localized alongside cell membranes in the human pineal gland.
- Intrapineal and meningeal acervuli exhibit distinct structural differences.
- Age correlates with the number of layers in meningeal acervuli, suggesting circannual influences.
- Parathyroidectomized rats showed increased calcified deposits, suggesting parathyroid regulation.
- Submammalian pineal organs show high calcium content but typically lack concrements.
Conclusions:
- Pineal calcification is a multifactorial process.
- The pineal gland of higher vertebrates shares characteristics with retinal tissue.
- Mammalian pinealocytes retain receptor cell features and accumulate calcium on membranes.