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The pineal gland (also known as the pineal body [1] or epiphysis cerebri) is a small endocrine gland in the brain of most vertebrates. It produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone, which modulates sleep patterns following the diurnal cycles. [2] The shape of the gland resembles a pine cone, which gives it its name. [3]
An abundance of cilia and centrioles has also been found in these Type 2 cells of the pineal gland. [7] Unique to the Type 2 is the presence of vacuoles containing 2 layers of membrane. [7] As Type 1 cells contain serotonin, Type 2 cells contain melatonin and are thought to have similar characteristics as endocrine and neuronal cells. [8]
Melatonin is synthesised by the pineal gland, located in the middle of the brain, in response to darkness, signalling the body’s transition to sleep. [3] [9] However, exposure to blue light at night disrupts the production and release of melatonin, leading to sleep disturbances.
Some examples of this include the circumventricular organs, the roof of the third and fourth ventricles, capillaries in the pineal gland on the roof of the diencephalon and the pineal gland. The pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin "directly into the systemic circulation", [12] thus melatonin is not affected by the blood–brain barrier ...
Another recent study compared the antioxidant properties of compounds from the tryptophan metabolic pathway in the pineal gland against oxidative damage to the lipids and proteins of synaptosomes. Synaptosomes isolated from rat brains were used in an experiment assessing damage by measuring malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxyalkenal, and carbonyl ...
Endocrine glands are ductless glands of the endocrine system that secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood. The major glands of the endocrine system include the pineal gland , pituitary gland , pancreas , ovaries , testicles , thyroid gland , parathyroid gland , hypothalamus and adrenal glands .
The SCG provides sympathetic innervation to structures within the head, including the pineal gland, the blood vessels in the cranial muscles and the brain, the choroid plexus, the eyes, the lacrimal glands, the carotid body, the salivary glands, and thyroid gland. [6] The postganglionic axons of the SCG form the internal carotid plexus.
The pineal gland thereby was established as an endocrine gland. As it controls other the important endocrine glands, including the so-called "master gland", the pituitary gland, it is more appropriate to refer the pineal gland as the true "master gland" of the body. [5] [6] [7]