The Nerve of the Pineal Gland

Abstract

A BUNDLE of nerve-fibres running upwards from the tip of the pineal gland in some mammals was described by Kolmer and Loewy in 1922¹, and was termed by them the "nervus conarii". However, the existence of this nerve as a constant feature has not hitherto been generally recognized, and its origin and destination remain obscure. It has been described by Pastori² as having a terminal relation to the wall of the great vein of Galen (vena magna cerebri). Recently the nerve has been identified and studied in this laboratory in monkey and human material. In both cases it has been traced, in cleared preparations and in serial sections, following an uninterrupted course from the pineal gland along the vein of Galen to enter the dural wall of the straight venous sinus, where it runs in a subendothelial position.