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 o
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