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The actions and metabolism of endocrine glands are poorly understood in comparison to mammals.   

The actions and metabolism of endocrine glands are poorly understood in comparison to mammals.   

[[Image:Thyroid_crop.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''The Thyroid gland appears to play an important role in [[Snake Shedding|shedding]] and growth''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Thyroid_crop.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''The Thyroid gland appears to play an important role in [[Snake Shedding|shedding]] and growth''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]

==Thymus==

==Thymus==

Reptiles usually have two pairs of thymus glands located cranial to the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]]. They are closely associated with the common carotid artery, jugular vein and vagus nerve.  In snakes there are significant species differences with some [[Boidae|boids]], [[Colubridae|colubrids]] and crotalids having only a single bilateral lobe.  The thymus decreases in weight with age.

Reptiles usually have two pairs of thymus glands located cranial to the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]]. They are closely associated with the common carotid artery, jugular vein and vagus nerve.  In snakes there are significant species differences with some [[Boidae|boids]], [[Colubridae|colubrids]] and [[Crotalinae|crotalids]] having only a single bilateral lobe.  The thymus decreases in weight with age.

==Parathyroids==

==Parathyroids==

There are usually two pairs of parathyroid glands. They measure about 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter and are located cranial to the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]].  The caudal parathyroids are often associated with thymic tissue. The parathyroids play a very important role in calcium metabolism and accidental [[Lizard and Snake Surgery|surgical]] removal will result in hypocalcaemia and tetanic convulsions.

There are usually two pairs of parathyroid glands. They measure about 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter and are located cranial to the heart.  The caudal parathyroids are often associated with thymic tissue. The parathyroids play a very important role in calcium metabolism and accidental surgical removal will result in hypocalcaemia and tetanic convulsions.

 

==Adrenals==

==Adrenals==

Paired asymmetrical adrenal glands lie within the gonadal mesentery, between the gonads and the dorsal coelomic wall.  Blood supply includes a venous portal system.

Paired asymmetrical adrenal glands lie within the gonadal mesentery, between the gonads and the dorsal coelomic wall.  Blood supply includes a venous portal system.

The pituitary gland lies on the ventral surface of the [[Snake Neurological System|brain]] and consists of an adenohypophysis and a neurohypophysis that is associated with the hypothalamus.  There are significant interspecies differences in morphology but it appears to have a similar function to the pituitary of mammals.

The pituitary gland lies on the ventral surface of the [[Snake Neurological System|brain]] and consists of an adenohypophysis and a neurohypophysis that is associated with the hypothalamus.  There are significant interspecies differences in morphology but it appears to have a similar function to the pituitary of mammals.

==Pancreas==

==Pancreas==

Exact location and anatomical relationships of the pancreas show much variation among [[:Category:Snake Species|species]]. It is often attached to the spleen to form a slenopancreas.  As in mammals the pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine organ. In some genera, the islet tissue is formed into giant islets, rather than scattered randomly throughout the pancreatic exocrine tissue.

Exact location and anatomical relationships of the pancreas show much variation among species. It is often attached to the spleen to form a slenopancreas.  As in mammals the pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine organ. In some genera, the islet tissue is formed into giant islets, rather than scattered randomly throughout the pancreatic exocrine tissue.

 

 

 

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]