pineal gland

Examples of pineal gland in the following topics:

• Epithalamus and Pineal Gland

  • It includes the habenula and their interconnecting fibers (the habenular commissure), the stria medullaris, and the pineal gland.
  • The habenular commissure is a band of nerve fibers situated in front of the pineal gland that connects the habenular nuclei on both sides of the diencephalon.
  • The pineal gland (also called the pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis, conarium, or the "third eye”) is the only unpaired midline brain structure.
  • The pineal gland lies between the laterally positioned thalamic bodies and behind the habenular commissure.
  • Some functions of its components include the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland (involved in circadian rhythms) and regulation of motor pathways and emotions.

• Overview of the Endocrine System

  • The endocrine system is a system of ductless glands that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that act at a distance.
  • For example the pineal gland, located at the base of the brain, secretes the hormone melatonin, responsible for regulating sleep patterns.
  • The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system which features ducted glands which secrete substances onto an epithelial surface for example a sweat gland.
  • The major endocrine glands include the pituitary, pineal, ovaries, testes, thyroid, hypothalamus and adrenal glands, additionally other tissues such as the kidney and liver also display secondary adrenal functions.
  • The endocrine systems found in the head and neck include the hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary and thyroid glands.

• Transport of Hormones

  • Major endocrine glands.
  • Pineal gland 2.
  • Pituitary gland 3.
  • Thyroid gland 4.
  • Adrenal gland 6.

• Chemistry of Hormones

  • A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body which sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism.
  • Peptide hormones consist of short chains of amino acids for example vasopressin which is secreted by the pituitary gland and regulates osmotic balance; or longer chains such as insulin secreted by the pancreas which regulates glucose metabolism.
  • Monoamine hormones are derived from single aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan; for example the tryptophan derived melatonin secreted by the pineal gland which regulates sleep patterns.

• Functions of the Diencephalon

  • Some functions of its components include the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland (involved in circadian rhythms) and regulation of motor pathways and emotions.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder and Jet Lag

  • Another theory is that the cause may be related to melatonin which is produced in dim light and darkness by the pineal gland , since there are direct connections, via the retinohypothalamic tract and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, between the retina and the pineal gland.

• Control of Autonomic Nervous System Function

• Circumventricular Organs

• Medulla Oblongata

  • Medulla oblongata labeled at bottom left, in relation to the pons, pituitary gland, spinal cord, pineal gland and cerebellum.

• Development of the Endocrine System

  • The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.
  • Pineal gland 2.
  • Pituitary gland 3.
  • Thyroid gland 4.
  • Adrenal gland 6.