Conarium

/koʊˈnɛəriəm/ noun

Definition

The pineal gland, a small cone-shaped endocrine gland located in the center of the brain that produces melatonin.

Etymology

From Latin conarium, literally meaning 'cone' or 'cone-shaped structure,' from conus. Medieval anatomists named it for its resemblance to a pine cone.

Kelly Says

Medieval doctors thought the pineal gland was literally where the soul lived, and named it after a pine cone because they were obsessed with finding hidden structures that seemed magical—it's actually just a melatonin factory!

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