Covers the pineal gland's position in the epithalamus between the habenular and posterior commissures, and its approximate size and weight. It then describes the histology: the pia mater with its septa, pinealocytes that secrete melatonin, and interstitial cells. Also listed are its arterial supply, its neighbouring structures from cranial to dorsal, and its role in sleep-wake regulation and circadian rhythm.
Topic 84 of 236 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Anatomy Bones and Muscles (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 134 words (1 min of reading), with 15 flashcards.
In this note
PINEAL GLAND
PINEAL GLAND
Is a small, Pinecone-shaped.
Located deep within the brain, in the epithalamus, near the center of the brain between the two hemispheres.
Lies between the habenular commissure and posterior commissure.
About 10 mm long and weights about 160 mg.
Histological structure
1 Pia mater – is located on the surface of the gland
emits septa inside the gland, which contain vessels and unmyelinated nerve fibres
2 Pinealocytes – the melatonin secreting cells
3 Interstitial cells – specific astrocytes of the pineal gland
perivascular phagocyte cells.
Vasculation :
Posterior choroidal artery.
Syntopy :
1 Pineal gland
2 Cranially: corpus callosum
3 Caudally: quadrigeminal plate
4 Rostrally: third ventricle
5 Dorsolaterally: quadrigeminal cistern
6 Dorsally: great cerebral vein
Functions :
Regulate sleep-wake cycles
Secretion melatonin, secreted primarily in darkness.
Involved in the control of circadian rhythm.
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