2: Pathology of pituitary and adrenal glands Flashcards
Pituitary pathologies are caused by what two types of abnormal function?
Hyperfunction
Hypofunction
Which recess of the middle cranial fossa is the pituitary gland found in?
Sella turcica
What membrane of dura mater covers the pituitary gland?
Diaphragm sellae
Which structure connects the pituitary to the hypothalamus?
Pituitary stalk
Which pituitary gland is
a) an extension of the neural aspect of the hypothalamus?
b) anterior?
a) posterior
b) anterior
What is the anterior pituitary also known as?
Adenohypophysis
Which hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete?
Trophic: TSH, ACTH, LH and FSH
Non-trophic: GH and PRL
Which hormones does the posterior pituitary secrete?
ADH
Oxytocin
What is the posterior pituitary also known as?
Neurohypophysis
On histology of the pituitary gland, all the cells look different - why is this?
Loads of different cells which produce different hormones
What causes anterior pituitary hyperfunction?
Pituitary tumours
Adenomas and carcinomas
What causes anterior pituitary hypofunction?
Surgery, radiation
Haemorrhage into gland
Tumours
Inflammatory conditions
What is Sheehan syndrome?
What kind of abnormal pituitary function does it cause?
Ischaemic necrosis of pituitary gland following childbirth
Pituitary hypofunction
What are two notable conditions associated with the posterior pituitary?
Diabetes insipidus
SIADH
What is a benign tumour of the anterior pituitary known as?
Pituitary adenoma
What genetic syndrome are numerous pituitary adenomas a presentation of?
MEN1
multiple endocrine neoplasia
Pituitary adenomas are classified by the type of ___ they produce.
hormone
Can pituitary adenomas produce more than one hormone?
Yes
Do pituitary adenomas have to produce hormone?
No, similarly to thyroid, some are non-functional
Why may large pituitary adenomas cause visual field defects?
Compression of optic chiasm
What disease involves multiple hormone deficiencies of the pituitary gland?
Panhypopituitarism