The Pineal Gland, Especially in Relation to the Problem on Its Supposed Significance in Sexual Development

The pineal gland, glandula pinealis, corpus pineale, epiphysis cerebri or conarium is an organ, the function of which has remained unknown up to the present day. Correlated with this lack of knowledge is the fact that the organ has been the subject of the most various theories. During a philosophical and speculative period this centrally situated organ was considered to be the seat of central psychic activity. At a later period, the “acervulus cerebri” contained within the organ, which apparently always attracted attention, was for this reason considered as very important. Later, it was learned that this organ is homologous with the pineal eye in lower forms and it was relegated to the status of a rudimentary organ without any significance at all. Still later, the observation of a connection between tumors in the pineal gland and precocious development in the genital sphere opened the eyes of authors to the possibility of the pineals