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Optical, physical and chemical properties of pineal gland calcifications

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Abstract

Calcifications of the pineal gland in the form of calcospherulites have been studied by optical microscopy, electron microscopy, electron probe analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and infra-red and chemical analysis. Complex calcospherulite textures have been observed which have a granular substructure made up of apatite crystals averaging 218 Å in length and 38 Å in width. These apatite crystals appear to be a carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite, mineralogically similar to enamel.

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Mabie, C.P., Wallace, B.M. Optical, physical and chemical properties of pineal gland calcifications. Calc. Tis Res. 16, 59–71 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02008213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02008213

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