Pineal gland, perennial puzzle.
Journal of the history of the neurosciences January 1, 1995 F Schiller
The pineal gland, a small brain structure, has historically been linked to sexuality, mysticism, and the mind-body problem, including Descartes' view of it as the seat of the soul. The article traces its role in the development of endocrinology and neurosurgery, examining its histology, function as a gland, and comparative anatomy as a 'third eye.' Calcifications of the gland aided radiological diagnosis of brain shifts. Ongoing research continues to investigate the pineal as a 'photo-neuro-endocrine transducer.'