Anatomy (Internal Organs+Glands) · MU Sofia

97-98. Pineal gland or epiphysis.

Covers the pineal gland's position in the epithalamus, its shape and size, and its neighbouring structures listed in a syntopy diagram, followed by its histological cells, blood supply and melatonin-related functions in sleep and circadian rhythm. It then moves to the thyroid gland: its site, H-shaped form, two capsules, lobes and isthmus, nerve supply, follicular and parafollicular cell histology, arterial, venous and lymphatic drainage. Several labelled diagrams accompany the text.

Inside: 13 sections · 6 labelled pictures · 10 flashcards · 4 min

Topic 41 of 44 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Anatomy (Internal Organs+Glands) (Medicine, Years 1 and 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 12 sections, about 595 words (4 min of reading), with 10 flashcards.

In this note

  1. 97 PINEAL GLAND
  2. Syntopy :
  3. Histological structure
  4. Vasculation : → Posterior chorodial artery.
  5. Functions :
  6. 98 THYROID GLAND
  7. Structure:
  8. Capsules of the thyroid gland (2 capsules).
  9. Parts:
  10. Innervation:
  11. Histology:
  12. Vasculation :

97 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.

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

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.

Functions :

  • Secreation melatonin , secreated primarily in darkness. → Regulate sleep - wake cycles
  • Involved in the control of circadian rythum.

98 THYROID GLAND

  • The largest endocrine gland.
  • Site : in the lower part of the front of the neck , and extends to the sides of the neck. (it is in the visceral compartment of the neck). . around the trachea. (between C5-T1)
  • It is H-shaped
  • Develops from the epithelium of the floor of the mouth.
  • It is dark brownish in colour.
  • weight around 18 - 60 g in detailes.

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