Embryonic development of the rat pineal gland.

The embryonic development of the albino rat pineal gland has been studied from day 13 of development until birth. The first pineal anlage appears as a midline evagination of the diencephalic roof, which soon adopts a tubular morphology. At 17 days, the disappearance of the pineal recess begins, along with the transformation of the gland into a solid organ. The latter is mainly achieved by an infolding and thickening of the dorsal recess wall, from which derives most of the future pineal parenchyma. Blood vessels are mainly derived from the vessels found in the dorsal surface of the pineal gland.