DIFFERENT SHAPES OF THE HUMAN PINEAL

GLAND – A STUDY ON 60 AUTOPSY CASES

AFROZ H1, NURUNNABI ASM2, RAHMAN M3, NAHAR N4, ARA S5

Abstract
Context: The pineal gland has been described as an endocrine or neuroendocrine gland;
however, its functions in humans are still to be defined. Different shapes of the human pineal
gland have been identified. Due to its small size and different shapes recognition of this gland
is much critical. Besides, due to its cellularity it may be mistaken for a neoplasm. Hence, a
sound knowledge on different shapes of the pineal gland is essential for neurosurgeons,
radiologists and pathologists for better diagnosis and management of pineal disorders.
Methods: A descriptive study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College,
Dhaka, from July 2009 to June 2010, to see the morphological shape of the human pineal
gland. The present study was performed on 60 human pineal glands collected from whole
human brains of unclaimed dead bodies that were under postmortem examination in the
Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The pineal gland was collected
from the brain by meticulous dissection. Then, the shape of the pineal gland was observed
under the magnifying glass.
Results: In the present study, pea-shaped pineal glands were found 60% in group A, 30% in
group B, 5% in both group C and D, while pine cone shaped were found 25% in group A, 37.5%
in group B, 25% in group C and 12.5% in group D. Besides, fusiform shaped glands were found
18.2% in group A, 63.6% in group B, 9.1% in both group C and D, where as piriform shaped
found 66.7% in group B, and 16.7% in both group C and D. Moreover, cone-shaped glands were
found 28.6% in group B, 57.1% in group C and 14.3% in group D.
Key words: Human pineal gland, Shape of pineal gland, Autopsy.
J Dhaka Med Coll. 2014; 23(2) : 211-214.

Introduction: recognition of normal pineal structure in the

The pineal gland (or pineal body) has been cerebral hemisphere. However, sometimes
described as an endocrine or neuroendocrine small tumours, cysts or even brain matter can
gland; however, its functions in humans are be mistaken for localization of the pineal gland.
still to be defined1. Researchers also stated that Hence, due to its small size and different
the pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in shapes recognition of this gland is much
the vertebrate brain. It produces the serotonin critical 4. Besides, due to its cellularity (in
derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects relation to the cortex and white matter), it may
the modulation of wake/sleep patterns in the be mistaken for a neoplasm 5 . It is also
circadian rhythms and seasonal functions2. important for radiologists and pathologists to
Pineal pathology especially pineal tumours differentiate the normal pineal from any
(pineocytomas/ pineoblastomas) may manifest neoplastic growth, secondary metastasis, cyst
as consequence of their pressure effects and or even aneurysm whenever investigating the
consist of visual disturbances, headache, diseases of the pineal gland or of any other
mental deterioration, and sometimes related structure in the cerabral region 5-7.
dementia-like behaviour etc. 3. One of the Therefore, sound knowledge on different
important goals of the neurosurgery is shapes of the pineal gland is essential for

1. Dr. Halima Afroz, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Green Life Medical College, Dhaka.
2. Dr. Abu Sadat Mohammad Nurunnabi, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, OSD, Directorate General
of Health Services (DGHS), Dhaka.
3. Dr. Mushfika Rahman, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Dr. Sirajul Islam Medical College, Dhaka.
4. Dr. Nurun Nahar, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Marks Medical College, Dhaka.
5. Prof. Shamim Ara, Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
Correspondence: Dr. Halima Afroz, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Green Life Medical College,
Dhaka.
J Dhaka Med Coll. Vol. 23, No. 2. October, 2014

neurosurgeons, radiologists and pathologists for border of the cerebellum was picked up by using
better diagnosis and management of pineal a blunt forceps. Exposing the superior cerebellar
disorders. The present study was aimed to see peduncles, the pineal gland was identified in
the variations in shape of the pineal gland and between the depression of the superior colliculi
compare with the previous studies and and observed that it was attached to the dorsal
available text references. surface of the brain, at the junction of the
midbrain and the diencephalon and inferior to
Methods:
the splenium of the corpus callosum8 . An
A descriptive study was done in the Department incision of about 1-2 cm was given through the
of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, splenium of the corpus callosum to approach
from July 2009 to June 2010, to see the the pineal region. The pineal gland was taken
morphological shape of the human pineal out from the diencephalon with a careful
gland. The present study was performed on 60 semilunar cut9. The pineal gland was cleared
human pineal glands collected from whole up from other tissues. Then, the shape of the
human brains of unclaimed dead bodies that pineal gland was observed under the
were under postmortem examination in the magnifying glass (Fig.1) and noted down.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka
Medical College, Dhaka. After the legal
formalities, whole of the human brain was
collected within 24-36 hours of death. During
collection of the samples, appropriate age, sex
and the cause of death were noted from the
morgue’s record book. The samples were
brought to the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka
Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were
tagged immediately bearing code numbers for
subsequent identification. Soon after
collection, each sample was gently washed with
tap water on a dissection tray. Blood and blood
clots were removed as far as possible.
Preservation of brains: After collection of whole
brain, 100ml of 40% formaldehyde solution was Fig.-1: Different shapes of the pineal gland seen
injected by using a 50cc syringe into the brain through magnifying glass (1. pea shaped, 2. pine-
through the surfaces (superolateral and cone shaped, 3. fusiform shaped, 4. cone shaped,
inferior surfaces). Then it was preserved in 5. piriform shaped).
40% formaldehyde solution for 15 days. After
15 days the pineal glands were collected from Common exclusion criteria: i) Decomposed body,
the preserved brains and the pineal gland fixed ii) any history of injury to the head, iii) any
in 10% formol saline solution. suspected pathology of the pineal gland seen
Procedure of collection of pineal gland from by naked eyes, and iv) if the whole of the pineal
preserved brain: After fixation of the whole of gland is not available during dissection.
the human brain, the pineal gland was Grouping of the sample: For convenience, all the
collected by the following steps: samples were categorized in four age-groups
At first, the fingers were placed in the medial including A (15-30 years), B (31-40 years), C
part of the horizontal fissure of the left half of (41-50 years) and D (>50 years), according to
the cerebellum and it was separated. Thus the Golan et al. (2002)10 (Table-I).
total of the superior and parts of the middle and Ethical clearance: This study was approved by
inferior cerebellar peduncles were exposed. The the Ethical Review Committee of Dhaka
thin layer of the white matter near the posterior Medical College, Dhaka.

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Different Shapes of The Human Pineal Gland – A Study On 60 Autopsy Cases Afroz H et al

Results: Table-I
In the present study, pea-shaped pineal glands Grouping of the sample of the present study
were found 60% in group A, 30% in group B, 5% (n = 60)
in both group C and D, while pine cone shaped
were found 25% in group A, 37.5% in group B, Group Age limit Number of samples
25% in group C and 12.5% in group D. Besides,
Male Female
fusiform shaped glands were found 18.2% in
group A, 63.6% in group B, 9.1% in both group A 15-30 years 09 09
C and D, where as piriform shaped found 66.7% B 31-40 years 17 08
in group B, and 16.7% in both group C and D.
C 41-50 years 08 03
Moreover, cone-shaped glands were found
28.6% in group B, 57.1% in group C and 14.3% D >50 years 06 00
in group D (Table-II, Fig. 2).

Table-II
Shape of the pineal gland in different age group

Age group Pea Pine-cone Fusiform Piriform Cone) P

(n=20) (n=16) (n=11) (n=6) (n=7 value
A(n=18) 12 (60%) 4(25%) 2(18.2%) - - <0.05*
B(n=25) 6 (30%) 6(37.5%) 7(63.6%) 4(66.7%) 2(28.6%)
C(n=11) 1 (5%) 4(25%) 1(9.1%) 1(16.7%) 4(57.1%)
D(n=6) 1 (5%) 2(12.5%) 1(9.1%) 1(16.7%) 1(14.3)

Figures in parentheses indicate percentage. Statistical analysis done by Chi-square (c2) test,
* = significant.

Williams et al. (1989)13, the pineal gland is a

small, piriform, reddish-grey organ. Rogers &
Jacob (1992)14 stated that it is a pea-shaped
structure. Fawcett (1994)15 noted that it is a
conical grey body. Reiters (2001)16, Docherty
(2007)17 and Nolte (2009)18 found the pineal
gland to be a small pine-cone shaped structure.
Mescher (2013)19 stated that the pineal gland
is a flattened conical organ. According to Ross
& Pawlina (2011)1 and Gartner & Hiatt (2014)20,
the pineal body is a small pine-cone shaped
Fig. 2: Shape of the pineal gland in different age
endocrine gland. The results of the present
group.
study are more or less similar with the
previous studies and text references. Similar
Discussion: studies were done on human parathyroid
Different shapes of different morphologic glands21 and adrenal glands22 based on autopsy
characteristics of the pineal gland were found findings in the same teaching institution &
depending on age in the present study. Kelly, hospital.
Wood & Enders (1984)11 noted the pineal gland
as a cone-shaped appendage of the brain. Conclusion:
Berkovitz & Moxham (1988)12 stated that the Age related changes were found in
pineal gland is a fusiform organ. According to morphological features of pineal gland. In young

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J Dhaka Med Coll. Vol. 23, No. 2. October, 2014

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remains pea shaped. With increasing age, it Maciejewski R. Morphometric parameters of the
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11. Kelly DE, Wood RL, Enders AC. eds. Bailey’s
knowledge, this was the first ever experiment
textbook of microscopic anatomy. 18 th ed.
done in our country on pineal gland. The Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1984: p.816-20.
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Livingstone; 1989: p.1456-9.
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