Ultimopharyngeal body

The Ultimobranchiale body ( parotid ultimobranchialis ) is a small endocrine organ in vertebrates ( Vertebrata ), with the exception of mammals. In birds it is the thoracic inlet to the common carotid artery, the thyroid and parathyroid glands is the adjacent and difficult to find by its transparency and the very variable form.

The epithelial strands arranged to form cells of the organ calcitonin. The Ultimobranchiale body arises from the 4 (sometimes 5 ) pharyngeal pouch. In mammals, the organ is incorporated in the thyroid the system and forms the parafollikulär arranged C- cells.

• Endocrine organ