The ultimopharyngeal body or ultimobranchial body or ultimobranchial 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 C cells—of the thyroid gland. In humans, this body is a derivative of the ventral recess of the fourth pharyngeal pouch (or fifth)
Famous quotes containing the word body:
“With my whole body I taste these peaches,
I touch them and smell them. Who speaks?
I absorb them as the Angevine
Absorbs Anjou. I see them as a lover sees,
As a young lover sees the first buds of spring
And as the black Spaniard plays his guitar.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)