The pineal gland, also known
as the conarium or epiphysis
cerebri, is a small endocrine
gland in the vertebrate brain.
The pineal gland produces melatonin,
a serotonin-derived hormone
which modulates sleep patterns
in both circadian and seasonal
cycles. The shape of the gland
resembles a pine cone, hence its name.
The pituitary gland is a tiny *****,
the size of a pea, found at the base
of the brain. As the “master gland”
of the body, it produces many hormones
that travel throughout the body,
directing certain processes or stimulating
other glands to produce other hormones.
Precursor Neural ectoderm, roof of diencephalon
Artery: posterior cerebral artery
Latin: glandula pinealis
Pineal gland or epiphysis (in back of the brain).
[Expand this mental image to include depth, mass & motion];
The pineal gland, also known as the conarium
or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland
in the vertebrate brain. The pineal gland produces
melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which
modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and
seasonal cycles. The shape of the gland resembles
a pine cone, hence its name. The pineal gland
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.