Pineal

The pineal gland is also known as the "pineal body" and the "epiphysis". It is an important endocrine gland in the human body and is located deep between the cerebral hemispheres at the back of the skull - see diagram below.

Endocrine glands differ from "exocrine" glands in that exocrine glands have ducts (so may be referred to as "ducted") whereas endocrine glands do not have ducts (and so may be referred to as "ductless").

The pineal gland is a pea-sized mass of nerve tissue that secrets the hormone melatonin.

For a diagram indicating the locations within the body of each of the endocrine glands, see Endocrine Glands of the Human Body.

This may be of interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other first-level therapy or other health-related courses.