Anatomy: Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of luteinising hormone (LH)?

A

Stimulates androgen production by gonads

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2
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Tentorium cerebelli

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3
Q

Describe the histology of the posterior pituitary

A

Non-myelinated axons of neurosecretory neurons

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4
Q

What is the diaphragma sella?

A

Tough sheet of dura mata forming roof (diaphragm) over pituitary fossa

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5
Q

Name a complication of damage to the dura mater during pituitary gland surgery

A

CSF leak

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6
Q

What do mammotrophs secrete?

A

Prolactin (PRL)

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7
Q

Which branch of the trigeminal nerve passes through the superior orbital fissure?

A

Ophthalmic (CN V1)

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8
Q

What do gonadotrophs secrete?

A

Gonadotrophins - FSH and LH

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9
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

CN IV

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10
Q

What is the function of prolactin (PRL)?

A

Promotes milk production from mammary glands

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11
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

CN VI

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12
Q

A functional deficit of which nerve will produce sensory symptoms on the face and difficulty masticating?

A

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

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13
Q

What do somatotrophs secrete?

A

Growth hormone (GH)

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14
Q

What is the function of the internal carotid artery?

A

Supplies arterial blood to brain and orbit (including globe)

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15
Q

What is the function of growth hormone (GH)?

A

Promotes growth of body tissues

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16
Q

Which part of the pituitary gland begins embryological development as an outpouching of the third ventricular floor?

A

Posterior

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17
Q

What is the function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

A

Stimulates water reabsorption by kidneys

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18
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

CN III

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19
Q

Which component of the visual pathway is pathology of the pituitary gland most likely to disrupt?

A

Optic chiasma

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20
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

CN V2

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21
Q

Name the hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary

A

ADH and oxytocin

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22
Q

Name the basophils of the anterior pituitary

A

Corticotrophs, thyrotrophs, gonadotrophs

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23
Q

Why must any lateral, anterior, or posterior expansion of the pituitary gland involve bony destruction?

A

The pituitary is encased in a bony box

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24
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Diaphragma sella

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25
Q

Where is the cavernous sinus located?

A

Either side of the sella turcica

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26
Q

Which branch of the trigeminal nerve passes through the foramen ovale?

A

Mandibular (CN V3)

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27
Q

Name the acidophils of the anterior pituitary

A

Somatotrophs, mammotrophs

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28
Q

Name the veins which trasmit hypothalamic hormones to the 2nd capillary bed in the anterior pituitary

A

Hypophyseal portal veins

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29
Q

What is the function of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)?

A

Stimulates hormone release by adrenal cortex

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30
Q

What is the transcranial approach for pituitary surgery?

A

Brain exposed through the cranium, inferior to frontal lobe, to provide access to the pituitary

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31
Q

Which part of the pituitary gland begins embryological development as an upgrowth of Rathke’s pouch (ectoderm)?

A

Anterior

32
Q

Name a complication of damage to the cavernous sinus during pituitary gland surgery

A

Venous haemorrhage

33
Q

What is the function of the dura mater?

A

Protects the structures of the cranial cavity

34
Q

What is the diencephalon?

A

Posterior part of the forebrain which consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus

35
Q

What is the function of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?

A

Stimulates thyroid hormone release from thyroid

36
Q

A functional deficit of which nerve will produce difficulty looking inferiorly and laterally?

A

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

37
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Pars nervosa of the pituitary posterior lobe

38
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Basillar artery

39
Q

The cavernous sinus is located ____________ to the pituitary gland

A

Laterally

40
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Left vertebral artery

41
Q

What is the function of the trochlear nerve (CN IV)?

A

Motor to one muscle that moves globe

42
Q

A functional deficit of which nerve will produce difficulty abducting the eye?

A

Abducent nerve (CN VI)

43
Q

A functional deficit of which nerve will produce bitemporal hemianopia?

A

CN II (optic chiasma)

44
Q

A functional deficit of which nerve will produce several eye movement deficits and a dilated pupil?

A

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

45
Q

What are the dural venous sinuses?

A

Venous channels within the dura mater that drain most venous blood from the cranial cavity (including brain) into the internal jugular veins at jugular foraminae in the floor of the posterior fossa

46
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Pars distilis of the pituitary anterior lobe

47
Q

What is the anterior intercavernous sinus?

A

Connects right and left cavernous sinuses anterior to pituitary gland

48
Q

What is the function of the cavernous sinus?

A

Drains the ophthalmic veins

49
Q

What is the function of oxytocin?

A

Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth

50
Q

What is the tentorium cerebelli?

A

Tough sheet of dura mater ‘tenting’ over cerebellum in posterior cranial fossa but with central gap to permit brainstem to pass through

51
Q

What is the function of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)?

A

Sensory to most of face (CN V1, V2, V3)

Motor to muscles of mastication (CN V3)

52
Q

What is the function of the oculomotor nerve (CN III)?

A

Motor to muscles that move the eyeball (globe)

Parasympathetic to constrictor pupillae

53
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Pituitary gland

54
Q

What is the clinical name for the bilateral visual field defect produced by compression of the optic chiasma?

A

Bitemporal hemianopia

55
Q

Where is the pituitary gland located?

A

Suspended from the underside of the brain by the infundibulum to sit in the pituitary fossa within the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone

56
Q

Which branch of the trigeminal nerve passes through the foramen rotundum?

A

Maxillary (CN V2)

57
Q

The diaphragma sellae and the optic chiasm are located ________ to the pituitary gland

A

Superiorly

58
Q

What is the function of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)?

A

Stimulates gamete production in gonads

59
Q

What is the transspehnoidal approach for pituitary surgery?

A

Access to the pituitary is via the nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus

60
Q

Name the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary

A

GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH

61
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

CN V1

62
Q

What is the function of the optic chiasma (CN II)?

A

Conducts APs bilaterally from the nasal retinae

63
Q

What structures would be at risk if a pituitary lesion expanded laterally?

A

Vascular and nervous structures of the cavernous sinus and may rarely reach the temporal lobe of the brain

64
Q

What do corticotrophs secrete?

A

ATCH, MSH

65
Q

Which lobe of the brain is located in the middle cranial fossa?

A

Temporal lobe

66
Q

Name a complication of damage to the internal carotid artery during pituitary gland surgery

A

Catastrophic haemorrhage

67
Q

The posterior intercavernous sinus, dorsum sellae, basilar artery and the pons are located ________ to the pituitary gland

A

Posteriorly

68
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Left internal carotid artery

69
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Internal carotid artery

70
Q

What do thyrotrophs secrete?

A

TSH

71
Q

The sphenoid sinus is located ____________ to the pituitary gland

A

Anteriorly and inferiorly

72
Q

What is the function of the abducent nerve (CN VI)?

A

Motor to one muscle that moves the globe

73
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Lateral wall of cavernous sinus (dura mater)

74
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Pars tuberalis of the pituitary anterior lobe

75
Q

The transsphenoidal approach for pituitary surgery requires the pathological fractures of which bones?

A

Nasal septum and floor, and roof of sphenoid sinuses

76
Q

What is indicated by the arrow?

A

Pars intermedia of the pituitary anterior lobe