Anatomy of the Pituitary gland Flashcards

1
Q

What is located infreriorly and posteriorly to the cerebrum

A

Cerebellum

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2
Q

The brain stem can be subdivided into what 3 parts?

A

Midbrain
pons
medulla (oblongata)

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3
Q

what is the diencephalon composed of

A

The thalamus and hypothalamus

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4
Q

what does the diencephalon form

A

The central core of the cerebrum with connections to the right and left cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain

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5
Q

What connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

A

the infundibulum

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6
Q

What does an infundibulum mean? regardless of location in the body

A

A funnel

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7
Q

what is the pituitary gland divided into

A

Anterior and posterior pituitary gland

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8
Q

what are the names of the 3 fossae of the skull?

A

anterior, middle and posterior

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9
Q

What are the bounderies of the anterior fossae of the skull

A

Frontal bone and the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone

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10
Q

What are the boundaries of the middle fossae of the skull

A

Lesser wings of the sphenoid and by the peatrus parts fo the temporal bone

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11
Q

What are the boundaries of the posterior fossae of the skull

A

Peatrus parts of the temporal bone and the occipital bone

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12
Q

Where is the pituitary fossa located

A

In the middle part of the middle fossa (sphenoid bone)

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13
Q

what does the pituitary fossa lie within

A

The sella turcica

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14
Q

what structure lies immediately inferior to the pituitary gland

A

optic chiasm

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15
Q

What forms the optic chiasm

A

Right and left optic nerves (CNs II)

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16
Q

What passes posteriorly from the chiasm

A

The optic tracts

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17
Q

Where do the neurones from the optic tract synapse

A

The thalamus

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18
Q

Neurones pass from the thalamus to where

A

To the visual cortext in the occipital lobe via the optic radiation

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19
Q

What can the field of view be divided into

A

The nasal and temporal side of visual field

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20
Q

If the light passes from the nassal side, where will it be perceived

A

In the temporal retina

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21
Q

Describe the route of neurones and action potentials if light passes from the nasal side

A

light is received by the temrporal retina,
APs are then sent via neurones from the retina long the optic nerve to then pass along the right optic tract to synapse in the thalamus.
A second neurone will then send signals to the visual cortex in the occipital bone

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22
Q

Describe the route of neurones and action potentials if light passes from the temporal side

A

Light rays will be received by the nasal retina and action potentials are sent along to the optic chiasma but will then cross over ehere to pass down the controlateral side in the optic tract to synapse in the thalamus. A second neurone will then send signals to the visual cortex in the occipital bone

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23
Q

What happens if there is a pituitary gland tumour

A

The gland enlarges resulting in compression of the optic chiasma meaning there will be a disruption of visual pathway and the loss of temporal vision

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24
Q

Why is there a loss of temporal vision with a pituitary tumour

A

The tumour disrupts the transmission of action potentials from the nasal retina bilaterally

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25
Q

Define bitemporal hemianopia

A

The loss of temporal field vision in both eyes

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26
Q

What are the two types of surgical approach to accessing the pituitary gland

A
Transcranial approach (sub frontal - under the frontal lobe) 
Transsphenoidal approach (via nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus)
27
Q

What forms the roof of the nasal cavity

A

The cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone

28
Q

What forms the inferior part of the nasal septum

A

The vomer bone

29
Q

What forms the superior part of the nasal septum

A

The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

30
Q

The superior and middle nasal concha are part of what?

A

Ethmoid bone

31
Q

What are paranasal sinuses

A

Air-filled spaces within the bones surrounding the nasal cavities

32
Q

Where are the 4 paranasal sinuses

A
Frontal bone (frontal sinuses
Maxillae (maxillary sinuses) 
Ethmoid bone (ethmoidal air cells)
Sphenoid bone (sphenoid sinuses)
33
Q

What are the paranasal sinuses lined by

A

Mucous secreting respiratory muscosa

34
Q

What are the functions of the paranasal sinuses

A

To make mucous and drain it into the nasal cavities through ostia _bony drainage holes)
Reduces the weight of the skull
Add resonance to the voice (maxillary sinuses)
Increase buoyancy in aquatic mammals e.g. dolphins

35
Q

What does the transsphenoidal transnasal approach require

A

Surgical fracture of the nasal septum and the floor and roof of the sphenoid sinus(es)

36
Q

What is another name given to the maxillary sinuses

A

Antra of the maxilla

37
Q

How many sinuses are located in the ethmoid bone

A

3 groups - superior, middle and inferior

38
Q

Where are the sphenoid sinuses located

A

Within the body of the sphenoid bone

39
Q

What type of Le fort fracture can be induced by the surgeon and why

A

Type 1 - if the surgeon requires better access into the nasal cavity

40
Q

Describe a Type 1 Le Fort fracture

A

Horizontally along the maxilla

41
Q

Describe a Type 2 Le Fort Fracture

A

Dissociation from the entire maxilla from the rest of the face

42
Q

Describe a Type 3 Le Fort Fracture

A

Separation of the facial skeleton form the neurocranium

43
Q

What artery crosses the anterior surface of the pons

A

The basilar artery

44
Q

What is the posterior extension of the optic nerve

A

The optic chiasma

45
Q

What is the tantrum cerebelli

A

A tough sheet of dura mater “tenting” over the cerebellum within the posterior cranial fossa but with a central gap to permit the brainstem to pass through

46
Q

What is the function of the dura mater

A

A protective lining for the brain

47
Q

What artery lies very close to the pituitary gland

A

Internal carotid artery

48
Q

What is the diaphragm sell

A

A tough sheet of dura mater forming a roof (diaphragm) over the pituitary fossa

49
Q

What lies inferior to the diaphragm sella

A

The pituitary gland

50
Q

The entire cranial cavity is lines internally with dura mater. True or False

A

True

51
Q

What are the dural venous sinuses

A

Areas within the cranial cavity where the 2 layers of dura have separated responsible for draining venous blood from the cranial cavity into the internal jugular veins

52
Q

What is the pituitary gland surrounded by

A

The cavernous and inter cavernous sinuses

53
Q

What arteries pass through the cavernous sinuses

A

The internal carotid arteries

54
Q

What cranial nerves also run through the cavernous sinus

A

2,3,4,5i, 5ii, 6

55
Q

The ophthalmic artery is a branch of what artery

A

The internal carotid artery

56
Q

Where does the ophthalmic artery enter the orbit

A

Via the optic canal

57
Q

Describe the route of the right internal carotid artery

A

Passes medially into the cavernous sinus and forms a loop to go and supply the brain

58
Q

What are the 8 structures at risk in pituitary gland surgery

A
Optic chiasm 
Oculomotor nerve (1)
Trochlear nerve (4)
Trigeminal nerve (5)
Abducent Nerve (6)
Cavernous sinus 
Internal carotid artery 
Dura mater
59
Q

What is the functional deficit of a damaged internal carotid artery

A

Catastrophic haemmorrhage

60
Q

What is the functional deficit of a damaged dura mater

A

CSF leak

61
Q

What is the functional deficit of a damaged cavernous sinus

A

Venous haemorrhage

62
Q

What can cause problems with specific eye movements

A

Damage to the trochlear nerve, the oculomotor nerve or the abducent nerve

63
Q

What can cause a dilated pupil

A

A damaged oculomotornerve

64
Q

What can cause sensory symptoms on the face or difficulty chewing

A

Damage to the trigeminal nerve