Ultimobranchial body
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Ultimobranchial body | ||
---|---|---|
Precursor | fourth pharyngeal pouch | |
Gives rise to | parafollicular cells | |
MeSH | Ultimobranchial+body | |
Dorlands/Elsevier | b_17/12191704 |
The ultimobranchial body or gland is a small organ found in the neck region of many animals.
In humans, the ultimobranchial body is an embryological structure that gives rise to the calcitonin-producing cells—also called parafollicular cells or clear cells—of the thyroid gland. In humans, this body is a derivative of the ventral recess of the fourth pharyngeal pouch.