Pineal gland - ANATOMY
Pineal gland - ANATOMY
The pineal gland is an ENDOCRINE gland
The gland is located in the brain.
The pineal gland produces melatonin
Melatonin helps in human sleep patterns.
It also produce the hormones which inhibits the action of the other endocrine glands in our body
Structures of the pineal gland
It is small endocrine gland, it is approximately about 6mm long
- Shape : pine cone like shape
(It is where the name of it is derived)
There are 2 types of cells in the gland.
1. Pinealocytes: This is a hormone secreting cells
2. Glial cells: These are supporting cells
The pineal gland is identified in radiographs and CT scans of the head
Position of the pineal gland
It is a midline structure which is located between the 2 cerebral hemispheres of the brain.
Vasculature
Blood supply: Posterior choroidal arteries
Venous drainage : Internal cerebral veins.
Nerve supply: Receives sympathetic innervation from the superior cervical ganglion
Clinical anatomy of pineal gland
Pineal gland tumors
Germ cell tumour is the most commonest
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