What it means
A tiny, pine-cone-shaped gland near the center of the brain. It releases melatoninmel-uh-TOH-ninA hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain, mostly at night, that helps control the sleep-wake cycle.Full entry mainly at night, in response to darkness, which helps set the body's daily sleep–wake rhythm. Light at night, including from screens, lowers melatonin release.
At a glance
| Spanish | glándula pineal |
|---|---|
| Also written | pineal body |
Related terms
hypothalamus
A small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.
melatonin
A hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain, mostly at night, that helps control the sleep-wake cycle.