Pineal Gland anatomy

Question 1

What is the pineal gland also called?

Answer 1

Also called epiphysis

Question 2

Where is the pineal gland found?

Answer 2

The pineal gland is found in Caudo-dorsal part of the diencephalon
Located between telencephalic hemispheres, cerebellum, and rostral colliculi

Question 3

What is the role of the pineal gland?

Answer 3

Controls diurnal rhythms.

Controls breeding seasons.

Question 4

What animals lack a pineal gland?

Answer 4

Not present in crocodiles, armadillos, dugongs, sloths and anteaters

Question 5

Where does the pineal gland get its information from?

Answer 5

It gets information about day length from visual tracts.

Blue light is a better stimulator than red/orange.

Question 6

What does the pineal gland produce?

Answer 6

Produces and secretes melatonin and more light = less melatonin

Question 7

What does melatonin do?

Answer 7

Melatonin Modulates sleep patterns (i.e. nocturnal v diurnal animals) and is Important in annual breeders like sheep and horses.

Question 8

Melatonin levels are modulated by what?

Answer 8

Melatonin levels are monitored by the pars tuberalis to coordinate reproductive hormone release.

Question 9

Does the pineal gland have a BBB? If not, why?

Answer 9

The pineal gland has no blood brain barrier with a very high blood flow and very cellular so melatonin is released easily

Question 10

What is the third eye in reptiles?

Answer 10

Extension of the epithalamus through a hole in the skull.

Sensitive to light, structure very similar to an eye.