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A morphological and chemical study of calcification of the pineal gland

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Summary

A general scheme of analysis for the investigation of minute calcification is presented. After low temperature ashing, the samples are subjected to chemical, structural and morphological study, using atomic absorption spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Details about the calcification of the human pineal gland are given. The content of trace elements is very high, but within the limits found in other biological apatites. It is concluded that calcification of the pineal is a more general occurrence than has been realized.

Zusammenfassung

Es wird ein allgemeines Schema für die Analyse kleiner Verkalkungen vorgelegt. Nach Veraschung bei niedriger Temperatur werden die Proben chemisch, in ihrer Struktur und morphologisch untersucht unter Verwendung von atomarer Absorptionsspektrometrie, Infrarotspektrometrie, Röntgendifraktion und Scanning Elektronenmikroskop. Es werden detailliert die Ergebnisse beim Studium von Verkalkungen der menschlichen Epiphyse dargelegt. Der Gehalt an Spurenelementen ist sehr hoch, jedoch innerhalb der Normgrenzen bei anderen biologischen Apatiten. Es wird gefolgert, daß die Verkalkungen der Epiphyse häufiger sind, als bisher angenommen wurde.

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Michotte, Y., Lowenthal, A., Knaepen, L. et al. A morphological and chemical study of calcification of the pineal gland. J. Neurol. 215, 209–219 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312479

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312479

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