Ultimopharyngeal body

Ultimopharyngeal body is a structure that is found in the pharynx of the human body. It is derived from the fourth pharyngeal pouch and is involved in the development of the parathyroid glands and the thymus.

Etymology

The term "ultimopharyngeal body" is derived from the Latin words "ultimus", meaning "last", and "pharynx", meaning "throat". This refers to the fact that the ultimopharyngeal body is the last structure to develop in the pharynx during embryonic development.

Development

The ultimopharyngeal body develops from the fourth pharyngeal pouch during the sixth week of embryonic development. It migrates downwards and merges with the third pharyngeal pouch, which forms the inferior parathyroid glands. The ultimopharyngeal body then differentiates into the superior parathyroid glands and the thymus.

Function

The ultimopharyngeal body plays a crucial role in the development of the parathyroid glands and the thymus. The parathyroid glands are responsible for regulating the body's calcium levels, while the thymus is involved in the immune system, producing T cells for the immune response.

Related Terms

• Pharynx
• Pharyngeal pouch
• Parathyroid glands
• Thymus
• Embryonic development
• Calcium
• T cells

See Also

• Development of the digestive system
• Development of the immune system

Ultimopharyngeal body Resources
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