Ultimobranchial body
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| Ultimobranchial body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Precursor | fourth pharyngeal pouch | |
| Gives rise to | parafollicular cells | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | b_17/12191704 | |
The ultimobranchial body or gland is a small organ found in the neck region of many animals. It produces the hormone calcitonin.
In humans, the ultimobranchial body is an embryological structure that gives rise to the calcitonin-producing cells—also called parafollicular cells—of the thyroid gland. In humans, this body is a derivative of the fourth pharyngeal pouch.
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