THE

PINEAL
GLAND
By Yolanda I. Antonio Vega
 OVERVIEW
Pineal body or epiphysis cerebri

Gland in the brain that’s located beneath the

back part of the corpus callosum

It’s a part of the endocrine system and secretes

the hormone melatonin

Pineal gland’s main job is to help control the

circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness

ANATOMY AND STRUCTURE
OF THE PINEAL
GLAND
1 The pineal gland in humans is a small, highly
vascularized, and a secretory neuroendocrine
organ.

2 It is located in the mid-line of the brain,

outside the blood-brain barrier and attached
to the roof of the third ventricle

3 The main cell types are pinealocytes (95%)

followed by scattered glial cells (astrocytic
and phagocytic subtypes)
4 Pinealocytes are responsible for the synthesis
and secretion of melatonin

5 The pineal gland often appears calcified in x-

rays, which is usually due to fluoride, calcium,
and phosphorus deposits that build up with
age
MAIN FUNCTION
The epiphysis cerebri is
the main producer of
melatonin and 5-
methoxytryptophol

Both of these
hormones are shown
pineal gland to be
antigonadotrophic

Help modulate the

circadian rhythm of
sleep
 CIRCADIAN RYTHM OF
SLEEP
1 2 3 4 5

RAIN

CHRISTMAS

CRY

HOSPITAL

SHOES
Melatonin Light would be Specialized ganglia The fibers from the From the spinal
production is perceived in the take the impulses hypothalamus cord, relays are
upregulated by retina by the nerve generated by the then give fibers off sent back to the
DOWNPOUR GIFT EYES EMERGENCY FOOTWEAR
darkness and has a
CLOUD
cells (rods and
SANTA CLAUS
light to the
TEAR DUCTS
toWHEELCHAIR
the superior pinealSOCK
gland via
decrease
UMBRELLAin cones) that are
DECEMBER suprachiasmatic
WEEP cervical ganglia in
PATIENT the post-
SANDALS
production when sensitive to light nucleus of the the spinal cord ganglionic neurons
exposed to light
hypothalamus

 Serum concentrations of
melatonin are low during the
daylight hours and increase
and peak during the dark
The duration of melatonin
secretion is directly
proportional to the
interval of darkness

The rate-limiting step that

This enzyme, which is
helps this process is
needed to synthesize
controlled by the enzyme
Light exposure melatonin from serotonin,
serotonin N-
is low during daylight hours
establishes the acetyltransferase (NAT)
mechanism pattern for
melatonin
secretion
Derived from an amino acid
called tryptophan

Serotonin is the precursor

of melatonin Melatonin then reacts
In the pineal gland, serotonin with G- protein
undergoes acetylation and then receptors to
methylation to yield the end implement the
product of melatonin biological effects that
are needed
 OTHER
FUNCTIONS
 DRUG METABOLISM

1 It was demonstrated that the gland might influence the

actions of some drugs, such as antidepressants and
cocaine
2 Melatonin also protects against neurodegeneration

BONE METABOLISM

1 Melatonin helps regulate new bone deposition. Its action is

mediated through the MT2 receptors
 As people age, the pineal gland tends to secret

less melatonin. It is unlikely that melatonin is the

sole culprit for age-related changes, but reduced

melatonin levels may help explain the aging

process.

AGING Older adults tend to sleep less and may have

trouble falling asleep. Changes in melatonin

might explain this phenomenon. It can also be

linked to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.

MENTAL HEALTH
Sleep deprivation can cause or worsen mental health conditions.

Some mental health disorders may also make it more difficult to sleep.

Access to daylight can also play a role in some mental health conditions.

Seasonal affective disorder, for instance, is a form of depression that affects a person’s mood and

tends to occur when light levels are low. This may be due to changes in melatonin secretion.
 PITUITARY GLAND REGULATION

It was suggested that there is an influence of the pineal gland on follicle-stimulating

hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

When the pineal gland is removed in these rodents, it was found that there was an

increase in concentrations of FSH and LH.

 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1 2 3 4 5
MAKEUP PARCEL DECORATION CAROL MOUNTAIN

DYSFUNCTION OF
BEAUTY DELIVERY GARLAND SING RETINAL
HIKE
CALCIFICATION TUMORS PINEAL GLAND JET LAG
EYESHADOW GIFT PARTY CHORUS DEGENERATION
CLIMB
SECRETIONS
LIPSTICK MAIL ORNAMENTS CHRISTMAS RANGE
BLUSH ORDER DESIGN CHOIR SUMMIT
EYELINER PACKAGE TINSEL CHEER EXPEDITION
THANK U
FRIENDS