![](\"..\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Pineal-gland.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSometimes referred to as the \u2018third eye\u2019, it haslong been associated with the claim made by Ren\u00e9 Descartes (1596-1650) that the gland was the\u2018seat of the soul\u2019. It is a smallendocrine gland located in the epithalamus whose primary function is to producemelatonin and serotonin (a precursor of melatonin). The pineal gland is richly innervated byadrenergic neurons that play an active role in this function. Because it is the\u2018manufacturing center\u2019 for melatonin, the gland plays a important role in theregulation of the circadian rhythms and thus the patterning of sleep via thesuprachiasmatic nucleus. In humans, thegland gradually increases in size from prenatal to postnatal life until about 2 years ofage (adult: 7x8x6 mm), with an increase in weight during and after puberty (adult: 172 mg). Melatonin is noticeably reduced duringpuberty, which tends to coincide with the onset of sexual activity. The figure below indicates the location of the pineal gland relative to other sub-cortical structures. <\/p>\n
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Locating the pineal gland<\/p>\n
See Epithalamus, Hypothalamus, Melatonin, Mesencephalic reticular activating system, Mind-body problem, Pituitary gland, Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or5HT), Sleep-waking cycle, Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), Thalamus<\/p>\n
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Sometimes referred to as the \u2018third eye\u2019, it haslong been associated with the claim made by Ren\u00e9 Descartes (1596-1650) that the gland was the\u2018seat of the soul\u2019. It is a smallendocrine gland located in the epithalamus whose primary function is to producemelatonin and serotonin (a precursor of melatonin). The pineal gland is richly innervated byadrenergic … <\/p>\n