Sympathetic Innervation of the Pineal Gland
An anatomical reference of the pineal gland's position and innervation
Anatomical
Challenge:
The pineal gland is an important structure that is rarely highlighted within anatomical textbooks and references. Its sympathetic innervation controls melatonin release in response to light/dark cycles. However, this pathway is not well-elucidated and has not been visualized in a comprehensive way.
Solution:
This illustration fills the knowledge gap by highlighting the pineal gland relative to other structures within the midbrain. In addition, the pathway itself is highlighted throughout its connections. Unlike conventional representations, by using a cut convention, the cervical spinal cord can be visualized in proximity as well.
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Client
Prof. Shelley Wall
Target Audience
Anatomy and medical students
Sympathetic Innervation of the Pineal Gland
An anatomical reference of the Pineal gland's position and innervation
Anatomical
Challenge:
The pineal gland is an important structure that is rarely highlighted within anatomical textbooks and references. Its sympathetic innervation controls melatonin release in response to light/dark cycles. However, this pathway is not well-elucidated and has not been visualized in a comprehensive way.
Solution:
This illustration fills the knowledge gap by highlighting the pineal gland relative to other structures within the midbrain. In addition, the pathway itself is highlighted throughout its connections. Unlike conventional representations, by using a cut convention, the cervical spinal cord can be visualized in proximity as well.
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Client
Prof. Shelley Wall
Target Audience
Anatomy and medical students
Process
Ideation and Research
Peer-reviewed articles, anatomical references and medical textbooks were used to formulate an information base about the pineal gland’s relative position, its sympathetic innervation pathway and the targets of each segment within the pathway.
Comprehensive Sketches
Maquette
Using Maya, the right hemisphere of the brain was isolated and put into position according to the final comprehensive sketch.
Maquette
Using Maya, the right hemisphere of the brain was isolated and put into position according to the final comprehensive sketch.
