Page 174 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy
P. 174
158 • Chapter 6
Circadian Rhythm Revisited
Circadian is from the Latin word circa, meaning about, and
dies, meaning day. The structure in our bodies that serves as
our biological clock is called the supra chiasmatic nucleus
(SCN). See Figure 6-1.
Our biological clock is the supra chiasmatic nucleus
(SCN).
Located in the hypothalamus, a quarter—sized structure
in the brain, the SCN is vital for the formation of long-term
Supra Chiasmatic
Nucleus Hypothalamus
Pineal
Gland
Light
Retina
Optic Nerve
Signals
to body
Figure 6-1 Supra chiasmatic nucleus
