MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The pineal gland in humans is a small (100-150 mg), highly vascularized, and a secretory neuroendocrine organ (1). It is located in the mid-line of the brain, outside the blood-brain barrier and attached to the roof of the third ventricle by a short stalk.

Detailed explanation-2: -Your pineal gland, also called the pineal body or epiphysis cerebri, is a tiny gland in your brain that’s located beneath the back part of the corpus callosum. It’s a part of your endocrine system and secretes the hormone melatonin.

Detailed explanation-3: -In humans melatonin is produced mainly in the pineal gland and a small portion in the retina.

Detailed explanation-4: -Melatonin is produced by various tissues in the body, although the major source is the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin (blue) is produced naturally from the amino acid tryptophan, by the pineal gland (purple) at night-time.

Detailed explanation-5: -The name “third eye” comes from the pineal gland’s primary function of ‘letting in light and darkness’, just as our two eyes do. This gland is the melatonin-secreting neuroendocrine organ containing light-sensitive cells that control the circadian rhythm (1).