Pineal gland

The pineal gland or epiphysis, is a small endocrine gland. It is located near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres and near the central switching point of the thalamic bodies. It is also referred to as the pineal body.

Structure and composition

The pineal gland consists mainly of pinealocytes, but four other cell types have been identified: interstitial cells, perivascular phagocyte, pineal neurons and peptidergic neuron-like cells.

Related Topics:
Pinealocyte - Neuron

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The pineal body does have nervous tissue, 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.

Related Topics:
Nervous - Epithelium

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