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Pineal Gland

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Endocrinology

Part of the book series: People and Ideas ((PEOPL))

Abstract

The anatomical description of the pineal gland probably predates 1 that of all other endocrine organs. Its azygous nature and central location within the brain attracted the attention of early anatomists. However, the definition of the functional aspects of the pineal gland came well after the description of the physiology of most other classical organs of internal secretion. Also, perhaps more than any other organ, the pineal gland has been associated with an inordinately large amount of superstition and mysticism; this persists even up to the present time. For example, there are several recent publications that relate the pineal gland to a variety of functions including the production of an enzyme with Methuselean properties and a cure for cancer. Such publications may have been instrumental in delaying the development of serious contemporary thought on the pineal gland, even among some scientists.

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Authors
  1. Russel J. Reiter
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  2. Mary K. Vaughan
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S. M. McCann

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© 1988 American Physiological Society

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Reiter, R.J., Vaughan, M.K. (1988). Pineal Gland. In: McCann, S.M. (eds) Endocrinology. People and Ideas. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7436-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7436-4_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7436-4

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