The Pineal Body

The pineal body (epiphysis) is a small reddish-gray body, about 8 mm. in length which lies in the depression between the superior colliculi. It is attached to the roof of the third ventricle near its junction with the mid-brain. It develops as an outgrowth from the third ventricle of the brain.
  In early life it has a glandular structure which reaches its greatest development at about the seventh year. Later, especially after puberty, the glandular tissue gradually disappears and is replaced by connective tissue.
 
Structure.—The pineal body is destitute of nervous substance, and consists of follicles lined by epithelium and enveloped by connective tissue. These follicles contain a variable quantity of gritty material, composed of phosphate and carbonate of calcium, phosphate of magnesium and ammonia, and a little animal matter.
  It contains a substance which if injected intravenously causes fall of blood-pressure. It seems probable that the gland furnishes an internal secretion in children that inhibits the development of the reproductive glands since the invasion of the gland in children, by pathological growths which practically destroy the glandular tissue, results in accelerated development of the sexual organs, increased growth of the skeleton and precocious mentality.

Previous | Next


 Gray's Anatomy
 
 1. Embriology
 
 2. Osteology
menuVertebral Column
menuSkull
menuCranial Bones
menuFacial Bones
menuExtremities
 
 3. Arthrology
menuTrunk Articulations
menuUpper Extremity Articulations
menuPelvis Articulations
menuLower Extremity Articulations
 
 4. Myology
menuMuscles of the Head
menuMuscles of the Trunk
menuMuscles of the Upper Extremity
menuMuscles of the Lower Extremity
 
 5. Angiology
menuThoracic Cavity
 
 6. The Arteries
menuArteries of the Head and Neck
menuArteries of the Upper Extremity
menuArteries of the Trunk
menuArteries of the Lower Extremity
 
 7. The Veins
menuSystemic Veins
 
 8. The Lymphatic System
 
 9. Neurology
menuBrain or Encephalon
menuCranial Nerves
menuSpinal Nerves
menuSympathetic Nerves
 
 10. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument
menuThe Peripheral Organs of the Special Senses
 
 11. Splanchnology
menuThe Respiratory Apparatus
menuThe Digestive Apparatus
menuThe Urogenital Apparatus
menuThe Ductless Glands
 
 12. Surface Anatomy and Surface Markings
 
menuMuscle Tables
 
 Quizzes
menu1. Introduction
menu2. Head & Face
menu3. Neck
menu4. Torso
menu5. Shoulder & Arm
menu6. Forearm, Wrist & Hand
menu7. Hip, Thigh & Knee
menu8. Leg, Ankle & Foot