European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Pineal gland is a midline cone-shaped reddish grey structure occupying the vertical groove between the two superior colliculi below the splenium of corpus callosum. From ancient times many scientists (eg. Galen, Avicenna) have examined the pineal gland. Descartes in his studies located the human soul in this structure." Nowadays, the number of papers concerning the pineal gland is increasing.1 The gland through its hormone (melatonin) influences many functions of the human body, like circadian rhythm, mood, psychiatric disorders, sexual maturation, reproduction and ageing. Scientific reports prove that there is significant relationship between the gland function and many systemic disorders. Obesity, hypertension and sudden infant death syndrome are examples of this. Structures like the adrenal cortex are also functionally connected with the pineal gland. Only few works concerning the relationship between the gland's morphological change with age and development index in humans could be found. Although pineal gland weight and volume vary greatly in respect of time, age, and physiological condition, the mean weight of the adult human pineal gland is generally 50 to 150 milligrams