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→Thyroid
[[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)]]
==Thyroid==
==Thyroid==
The single thyroid gland is roughly spherical and enclosed in a connective tissue capsule. It lies just cranial to the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]] and ventral to the [[Snake Respiratory System|trachea]]. The thyroid, which is under pituitary control, appears to play an important role in [[Snake Shedding|shedding]] and growth. Accidental [[Lizard and Snake Surgery|surgical]] removal of the thyroid may increase [[Snake Shedding|shedding]], which is the reverse to [[Lizards|lizards]]. In some [[:Category:Snake Species|species]] it has been reported that thyroid extract administration inhibits moulting.
The single thyroid gland is roughly spherical and enclosed in a connective tissue capsule. It lies just cranial to the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]] and ventral to the [[Snake Respiratory System|trachea]]. The thyroid, which is under pituitary control, appears to play an important role in [[Snake Shedding|shedding]] and growth. Accidental [[Lizard and Snake Surgery|surgical]] removal of the thyroid may increase [[Snake Shedding|shedding]], which is the opposite reaction to the one in [[Lizards|lizards]]. In some [[:Category:Snake Species|species]] it has been reported that thyroid extract administration inhibits moulting.
==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 [[Snake|snakes]] there are significant [[:Category:Snake Species|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 [[Snake|snakes]] there are significant [[:Category:Snake Species|species]] differences with some [[Boidae|boids]], [[Colubridae|colubrids]] and crotalids having only a single bilateral lobe. The thymus decreases in weight with age.