The pineal gland is a small, cone-shaped gland that has many important functions. The pineal gland and its hormone - melanin - are primarily responsible for he althy sleep and the proper functioning of the biological clock. Check what other functions in the body performs the pineal gland.

The pineal gland , also known as the pineal body or the brain cap (Latincorpus pineale ), is a small organ weighing approx. 120 g, which is located in the third ventricle of the brain, in the rear part of the diencephalon. The pineal gland is an endocrine gland, which means that it regulates and coordinates the activities of specific organs and tissues, producing hormones into the blood that act on specific organs and tissues.

The pineal gland - what is it responsible for? Functions of the pineal gland

  • the pineal gland, sleep and biological rhythm

During the day, the pineal gland secretes serotonin - a hormone involved in the regulation of blood pressure and the activities of the central nervous system. (an adequate level of serotonin calms you down, while its deficiency may cause nervousness and even aggression). On the other hand, when it gets dark, the pineal gland synthesizes serotonin into another hormone - melatonin. Then we get sleepy. This is how melatonin "tells" us that the night is coming and we should go to bed. On the other hand, light reduces its secretion through nerve impulses traveling from the eye to the brain. Therefore, people who stay late at night in front of the computer may suffer from a deficiency of melatonin. Then the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer of the prostate and breast increases. Permanent fatigue worsens the quality of life.

The outside is melatonin is called the "hand" of the biological clock. Melatonin is believed to act as an endogenous synchronizer capable of stabilizing and / or enhancing many biological rhythms (e.g. body temperature, sleep-wake rhythm).

  • pineal gland and pituitary hormones

The pineal gland and its hormone - melatonin - are involved in the regpiation of the synthesis and release of selected hormones in the glandular part of the pituitary, especially: growth hormone (somatotropin-GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (thyrotropin - TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin - ACTH) ). However, its role in these processes is believed to be of secondary importance.

The hormone of the pineal gland also significantly changes the release processhormones of the nervous part of the pituitary gland, i.e. vasopressin and oxytocin.

The pineal gland secretes serotonin, melatonin and hormones that inhibit the secretion of gonadotrophins responsible for sexual maturation.

  • pineal gland and sexual maturation

The pineal gland also affects the function of the reproductive system, as it secretes hormones that inhibit the secretion of gonadotropins responsible for sexual maturation. It is believed thatpineal gland hyperfunctioncan lead to premature sexual development, whilepineal gland insufficiency- to delayed sexual maturation. Malfunction of the pineal gland may be caused, for example, bypineal tumor(also calledpineal gland ).

  • the pineal gland and the body's immunity

The melatonin secreted by the pineal gland increases the body's immunity.

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