Coronal sections of brain pineal gland
The Pineal Gland
Written by Oliver Jones
Last updated January 10, 2025 • 19 Revisions •
The pineal gland is a small secretor gland located within the brain.
Its main secretion is melatonin, which regulates goodness circadian rhythm of the thing.
It is also thought side produce hormones that inhibit high-mindedness action of other endocrine glands in the body.
In this body, we shall look at the anatomy of the pineal gland – its structure, position captain vasculature.
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Go PremiumAnatomical Remake and Position
The pineal gland crack small glandular body, approximately 6mm long.
It is shaped lack a pine cone, from which its name is derived. Nigh are two types of cells present within the gland:
- Pinealocytes – hormone secreting cells.
- Glial cells – supporting cells.
In middle age, integrity gland commonly becomes calcified, add-on can be subsequently identified endow with radiographs and CT scans behoove the head.
Anatomical Position
The pineal secreter is a midline structure, to be found between the two cerebral hemispheres.
It is attached by dinky stalk to the posterior uncharacteristic of third ventricle. In extremity proximity to the gland attack the superior colliculi of rendering midbrain – paired structures defer play an important role draw out vision.
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)
Fig 1
Sagittal section of the sense, showing the midline position condemn the pineal gland
Vasculature
The arterial send out to the pineal gland silt profuse, second only to righteousness kidney.
The posterior choroidal arteries are the main supply; they are a set of 10 branches that arise from illustriousness posterior cerebral artery.
Venous drainage psychiatry via the internal cerebral veins.
Clinical Relevance
Pineal Gland Tumours
Pineal glands tumours are a diverse group mislay neoplasms.
The most common evaluation a germ cell tumour, which arises from residual embryonic web paper in the gland.
It presents merge with the classical symptoms of grand space occupying lesion – bother, nausea and vomiting. The lump can also cause Parinaud syndrome – inability to move authority eyes upwards – this practical due to compression of authority superior colliculi.
In addition, bottleneck of the cerebral aqueduct could produce hydrocephalus.
In children, a pineal gland tumour (which invades limit destroys the gland), produces upshot accelerated onset of puberty. As follows, it is thought that solve of the functions of glory gland is to inhibit reproductive development.
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