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Optical, physical and chemical properties of pineal gland calcifications

Calcified Tissue Research volume 16, pages 59–71 (1974)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Associates of the American Dental Association Research Unit at the National Bureau of Standards, 20234, Washington, D. C., Washington, U.S.A.

    Curtis P. Mabie & Betty M. Wallace

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  1. Curtis P. Mabie
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  2. Betty M. Wallace
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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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