Development of concrements in the human pineal body
Doskocil, M.
Folia Morphologica 32(1): 16-26
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5640 PMID: 6724438 Document Number: 221529
The point at which the first concrements appear in the human pineal is spread over a very wide period of time. Kossa-positive material appears in the human pineal in the following sequence: blood cells in the veins of the epiphysis, the walls of epiphyseal veins and concrements measuring 1 .times. 10-5 to 1 .times. 10-4 m, which subsequently adhere together to form macroscopically visible sand. Pineal concrements are composed of an organic matrix on which inorganic salts are deposited. The following forms of concrements exist: stratified biconvex lenticular to spherical forms, mulberry forms, spheres with flat platelets attached and mixed forms composed of the preceding types. They grow to a size of about 5 .times. 10-5 to 1 .times. 10-4 and combine to form large conglomerates. Concrements in the pineal are localized mainly in its posterior middle third. While revealing structural details of the concrements, the scanning electron microscope showed no signs of any crystalline structure. Apparently, the pineal does not degenerate in old age.