Corpora arenacea (or brain sand) are calcified structures in the pineal gland and other areas of the brain such as the choroid plexus. Older organisms have numerous corpora arenacea, whose function, if any, is unknown. They are sometimes, used as anatomical landmarks in radiological examinations. General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ... The pineal gland (also called the pineal body or epiphysis) is a small endocrine gland in the brain. ... In animals, the brain, or encephalon (Greek for in the head), is the control center of the central nervous system. ... The choroid plexus is the area on the ventricles of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced. ... Image A: A normal chest X-ray. ...

Chemical analysis shows that they are composed of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate, and ammonium phosphate. ^[1]. Recently, calcite deposits have been described as well ^[2]. Calcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions (Ca2+) together with orthophosphates (PO43-), metaphosphates or pyrophosphates (P2O74-) and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions. ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ... Magnesium phosphate is a phosphate appearing in three forms: Monobasic Dibasic Tribasic Chemical formula: Mg3(PO4)2 Various forms have been used as laxatives and antacids. ... Ammonium phosphate. ...

References

1. ^ Bocchi G, Valdre G (1993). "Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of carbonate-hydroxyapatite concretions of the human pineal gland.". J Inorg Biochem 49 (3): 209-20. PMID 8381851.
2. ^ Baconnier S, Lang S, Polomska M, Hilczer B, Berkovic G, Meshulam G (2002). "Calcite microcrystals in the pineal gland of the human brain: first physical and chemical studies.". Bioelectromagnetics 23 (7): 488-95. PMID 12224052.

External links

• Histology at BU 14401loa
• Histology at USC end/c_20
• Histology at OU 41_03 - "Pineal gland"
• Dictionary at eMedicine Corpora+arenacea
• Garma-Aviña A. "Excretory plugs from the choroid plexus in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with neurological disease: possible role in the formation of corpora arenacea.". J Comp Pathol 123 (2-3): 146-51. PMID 11032668.