Pineal gland

Pineal gland
A small gland located deep within in the brain. It is believed to secrete melatonin, and may therefore be part of the body’s sleep-regulation apparatus.

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pineal gland n a small body that arises from the roof of the third ventricle and is enclosed by the pia mater and that functions primarily as an endocrine gland that produces melatonin called also pineal, pineal body, pineal organ

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a pea-sized mass of nerve tissue attached by a stalk to the posterior wall of the third ventricle of the brain, deep between the cerebral hemispheres at the back of the skull. It functions as a gland, secreting the hormone melatonin. The gland becomes calcified as age progresses, providing a useful landmark in X-rays of the skull. Anatomical name: epiphysis.

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glandula pinealis.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • pineal gland — noun a small endocrine gland in the brain; situated beneath the back part of the corpus callosum; secretes melatonin • Syn: ↑pineal body, ↑epiphysis cerebri, ↑epiphysis • Hypernyms: ↑endocrine gland, ↑endocrine, ↑ductless gland …   Useful english dictionary

  • pineal gland — [ pɪnɪəl, pʌɪ ] (also pineal body) noun a pea sized conical mass of tissue behind the third ventricle of the brain, secreting a hormone like substance in some mammals. Origin C17: from Fr. pinéal, from L. pinea pine cone (with ref. to the shape… …   English new terms dictionary

  • pineal gland — noun Date: 1712 a small usually conical appendage of the brain of all craniate vertebrates that functions primarily as an endocrine organ and that in a few reptiles has the essential structure of an eye called also pineal, pineal body, pineal… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pineal gland — noun /pʌɪˈniːəl ˌɡland/ A small, pinecone shaped endocrine gland found near the centre of the brain that produces melatonin. Syn: epiphysis, pineal body …   Wiktionary

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