having the form of a pine cone
The gland located within the brain that synthesizes melatonin.
adjective, Latin pinea = a pine cone; hence, the pineal gland which is cone-shaped.
L. pineus, relating to pine. Pineal gland resembles a pine cone. First described by Berengarius about 1500. Descartes (1596-1650) declared it the residence of the soul.
(pi-NEE-awl) gland A small endocrine gland located at the posterior end of the diencephalon, forming a part of the roof of the third ventricle. Also called the epithalamus.
Endocrine gland situated above pituitary gland in the skull.
The pineal gland is a pea-sized mass of tissue attached by a stalk to the posterior wall of the third ventricle of the brain. It may play a part in initiating development of the gonads, but this is not known. In mammals, it secretes the hormone melatonin. The gland becomes calcified as age progresses, providing a useful landmark in X-rays of the skull.
The pineal is a small endocrine gland located in the center of the head. It is richly supplied with blood vessels and nerve fibers. In certain fishes, frogs, and lizards, the pineal is associated with a well-developed light-sensitive organ, or so-called "third eye," and in all species the pineal is affected by light. The pineal is known to be involved in the regulation of cycles and rhythms in the body.
Related Topic"...Darkness signals the pineal gland to release melatonin..."