anatomy of the pituitary gland Flashcards
what are major hormone producing glands in the cranial cavity?
- hypothalamus
- pituitary gland
where are major hormone producing glands in the neck?
- thyroid gland
- four parathyroid glands
where are major hormones produced in the abdomen (retroperineum)?
- pancreas
- two adrenal (suprarenal glands)
where are major hormones produced in the female pelvis?
-two ovaries in broad ligaments
where are major hormones produced in the male perienum?
two tested in scrotum
what hormone producing structure is highlighted blue?
thalamus
what hormone producing structure is highlighted blue?
hypothalamus
what is the part of the brain highlighted light blue called?
diencephalon
what does the diencephalon contain?
the thalamus and hypothalamus
what is the diencephalon?
it is part of the brain that forms central core of the cerebrum with connections to right and left cerebral hemispheres and midbrain
how is the hypothalamus connected to the pituitary?
hypothalamus sits superiorly to the pituitary gland connected by infundibulum or ‘pituitary stalk’
(infundibulum=funnel)
how is the pituitary gland divided?
into anterior and posterior lobe
what is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland also known as?
adenohypophysis
what makes up the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland?
- pars distalis
- pars tuberalis
- pars intermedia
what part of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is labelled blue?
pars tuberalis
what part of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is labelled blue?
pars distalis
what part of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is labelled blue?
pars intermiedia
what is the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) responsible for?
Responsible for synthesis and release most pituitary hormones such as:
- GH
- TSH
- ACTH
- FSH
- LH
- PRL
what is another name for the posterior lobe?
-neurohypophysis
what makes up the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland / neurohypophysis?
pars nervosa
Which lobe of the pituitary gland is an extension to the brain?
posterior lobe (neurohypophysis)
what is the role of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland/ neurohypophysis?
-release ADH and oxytocin which are synthesised in hypothalamus
where is the pituitary gland located in the skull?
sella turcica
where is the pituitary gland located in relation to the optic chiasma?
it lies immediately inferior to the optic chiasma
what forms the optic chiasma?
the left and right optic nerves (CN II)
what can occur to a patients eyesight if they have a pituitary tumour and why?
- there may be midline compression of optic chiasma
- this disrupts transmission of action potentials from nasal retina bilaterally
- patient loses ability to see structures in temporal side of visual field bilaterally (bitemporal hemianopia)
what are the two ways in which the pitruitary fossa may be reached during surgery?
- transcranial approach (this is done subfrontal- inferior to frontal lobe)
- transsphenoidal approach (via nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus)
what is highlighted in blue?
left superior nasal concha (of ethmoid bone)
what is highlighted in blue?
left middle nasal concha (of ethmoid bone)
what is highlighted in blue?
left inferior nasal concha
what is highlighted in blue?
pituitary gland
what is highlighted in blue?
optic chiasma
what are paranasal sinuses?
air filled spaces within bones surrounding nasal cavities
what are some examples of paranasal sinuses?
- frontal sinuses (in frontal bone)
- maxillary sinuses (in maxillae bone)
- ethmoidal air spaced (in ethmoid bone)
- sphenoid sinuses (in sphenoid bone)
what lines the paranasal sinuses?
-mucus secreting respiratory mucosa
what is the function of paranasal sinuses?
- secrete mucus which drains into nasal cavities through ostia
- reduce weight of skull
- add resonance to voice
what forms a roof over the pituitary fossa?
the diaphragm sellae
what sinuses is the pituitary gland surrounded by?
- cavernous sinus
- intercavernous sinus
what arteries pass through the cavernous sinuses?
-internal carotid arteries
