ABSTRACT
The pineal gland has been known for about 2300 years. It was discovered by Herophilus of Alexandria (325-280 BC), a scientist who gained renown for the first public dissection of human cadaver and pulse diagnosis. Together with Erasistratus, he studied the human brain and showed that it is a source of all nerves. Initially, Herophilus and his contemporary philosophers considered the pineal gland as a centre of spiritual and physical life. It was only after 500 years later that Galen (AD 129-200), a physician, biologist, philosopher and philologist, first described the pineal gland in detail. After thorough study, he found the pineal gland to be similar to other glands in the human body.
