Pineal

Pineal Gland

The Pineal Gland is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal) functions. It is located near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join.

Structure

The pineal gland is reddish-gray and about the size of a grain of rice (5–8 mm) in humans. It is shaped like a tiny pine cone (hence its name), and it is located in the epithalamus, near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join.

Function

The primary function of the pineal gland is to produce melatonin. Melatonin has various functions in the central nervous system, the most important of which is to help modulate sleep patterns. Melatonin production is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light.

Clinical significance

Problems with the pineal gland can lead to a number of health issues. For example, a pineal gland cyst can cause a variety of symptoms such as headaches, vision problems, and seizures. In addition, some studies have suggested a link between the pineal gland and certain mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression.

See also

• Endocrine system
• Melatonin
• Thalamus

References

Pineal Resources
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