M3: The Thymus & Pineal Gland Flashcards
A minor gland in the endocrine system which plays its role better in infancy and childhood
Thymus
Due to thymic involution
Thymus
The thymus is located in the __________ _______________, which houses lymph nodes, adipose tissues, and some parts of the thyroid alongside the thymus. Behind the sternum, between the lungs.
Anterior mediastinum
Thymus secretes hormones ________ and _____________ that are crucial in lymphatic cell maturation.
Thymosin; thymopoietin
The thymus is composed mainly of?
Epithelial cells, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes among others
A hematopoetic stem cell originating from the bone marrow.
T-cell
Upon differentiation, it turns into lymphocytes that fight infection-causing pathogens.
T-cell
Category of peptides, specifically referring to Tα1 and Tβ4 which aids in immune protection and T-cell maturation.
Thymosin
Helps in curing malignancies and immunocompromised states
Tα1
Specializes in cell repair and healing
Tβ4
Functions similarly to thymosin; fuels the differentiation of HSC into T-cell and enhances the activity of mature T-cells in the bloodstream.
Thymopoietin
A small endocrine gland in the brain of most vertebrates that produces melatonin, a hormone that modulates sleep patterns following diurnal cycles.
Pineal gland
The pineal gland is located in the _____________, near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres.
Epithalamus
The pineal gland consists of portions of neurons, neuroglial cells, and specialized secreting cells called ______________.
Pinealocytes
Create and secrete melatonin into the cerebrospinal fluid
Pinealocytes
What is the pineal gland’s primary importance?
- Regulating the circadian rhythm
- Regulating sleep-wake cycles through the secretion of melatonin
Produced by the pineal gland; regulates sleep patterns. It is involved in cell protection, neuroprotection, and the reproductive system.
Melatonin
