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Glite Dictionary
pineal body

pineal body

1 8.2
A small gland in the brain that makes melatonin and helps control sleep and daily body rhythms
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪniəl ˈbɑdi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cuerpo pineal
  • How does the pineal body affect our mood?

Examples

  • The pineal body is crucial for regulating sleep patterns.

  • The pineal body plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle by secreting melatonin.

  • Doctors are studying how the pineal body responds to changes in light exposure.

  • In some animals, the pineal body is involved in seasonal breeding behaviors.

  • The pineal body produces melatonin, which helps regulate sleep patterns.

  • Doctors study the pineal body to understand its role in human biology.

  • The function of the pineal body is vital for maintaining circadian rhythms.

Synonyms

pineal gland
vspineal body
  • Specialized
5 5.6

A small pea-shaped part of the brain that makes melatonin to help control sleep

regulates melatonin for multiple biological rhythms not only sleep
epiphysis
vspineal body
  • Specialized
9.9

A small gland in the brain that makes melatonin to control sleep

is the more common or general name used outside technical texts
epiphysis cerebri
vspineal body
  • Specialized
9.9

A small gland deep in the brain that makes melatonin

also manages timing of several bodily rhythms rather than only secretion

Surface Forms

pineal body singular
pineal bodies plural

Morphology

pineal + body

The term is compositional: 'pineal' specifies the pineal (gland-related) and 'body' denotes a bodily structure, so together they refer to the pineal gland (a small endocrine gland). This follows standard anatomical noun-noun naming, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the intended meaning.

Etymology

Pineal body is named for its shape: pineal comes from Latin for 'pine-cone' and the small body looks like a tiny pine cone deep in the brain. It makes melatonin and helps control the 'sleep-wake cycle', so the name helps you remember this tiny gland that sets the body's daily rhythms.