Illustration of the mechanism by which melatonin (blue arrows) is secreted by the pineal gland (red). Melatonin is a hormone that affects the modulation of sleep patterns in both seasonal and circadian rhythms. Its release is inhibited by bright light falling on the retina of the eye. However, when decreased levels of light are detected a signal is sent to the pineal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (green) and paraventricular nucleus (orange) of the hypothalamus to begin secreting melatonin. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / FERNANDO DA CUNHA |
Taille de l’image : | 5100 px × 5100 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |