Pineal gland

Basic of Pineal gland for B.Pharm student

1. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (Pineal gland) Mr N.JEGAN Associate Professor K.M.COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. MADURAI.

2. Pineal gland- Introduction It is an important endocrine gland in higher vertebrates. The name is derived from its pinecone like structure. It is also known as ‘ third eye ’ as this gland receives its stimuli through vision. It was first discovered by Herophilus about 2000 years ago.

3. Pineal gland- Location Location: The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain, sandwiched between the left and right hemispheres.

4. Pineal gland- Structure Shape- Similar a pinecone , flattened stalk like structure hence it is called epiphysis. Length- 0.8 cm Weights- 0.1 gram

5. Pineal gland- Internal Structure It consists of two types of major cells- Pinealocytes Astrocytes . Pinealocytes - Two types of Pinealocytes - Light Pinealocytes Dark Pinealocytes

6. Pineal gland- Internal Structure Astrocytes Astrocytes present in between the pinealocytes . Nucleus is elongated and dense in nature. Have few mitochondria.

7. Pineal gland- Hormone Pineal gland secretes Melatonin

8. Pineal gland- Hormone-Function It regulates the body’s circadian rhythms . Circadian rhythms are the daily rhythms of the body, including signals that make someone feel tired, sleep, wake up, and feel alert around the same time each day

9. Secretion is of melatonin control by - The amount of light entering the eye stimulating the optic pathways . Pineal gland releases greater amounts of melatonin when it is dark, which points to melatonin’s role in sleep .

10. Pineal gland- Hormone- Other Function Bone metabolism Inhibition of growth and development of the sex organs before puberty. Sense of direction Drug metabolism

11. Pineal gland- Disorders Deficiency of Melatonin lead to Sleep disorder(depression) Peptic ulcers Sexual dysfunction

12. THANKING YOU