Pineal Gland Morphology - A Literature Review

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Ignacio Roa & Mariano del Sol

Summary

Pineal gland is a small structure located on the roof of the diencephalon, and its principal function is to play an important role in circadian rhythm regulation, such as sleep/wake, besides secreting melatonin, a hormone with a strong effect on gonadal action, and playing oncostatic, geroprotector and antioxidant roles. This review aims to know the morphological aspects of the pineal gland, from its embryological development, its anatomic and histological description, in order to understand its function from an integral view.

KEY WORDS: Pineal Gland; Morphology; Pinealocyte; Melatonin.

How to cite this article

ROA, I. & DEL SOL, M. Pineal gland morphology - A literature review. Int. J. Morphol., 32(2):515-521, 2014.