Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland Flashcards
What comprises the diencephalon?
Thalamus and hypothalamus
The diencephalon cnnects which aspects of the brain?
Right and left hemispheres and midbrain
How is the hypothalamus connected to the pituitary?
Infundibulum
Into which two parts is the pituitary gland split?
Anterior and posterior
The pituitary gland sits within the pituitary fossa which is located in which bone?
Sphenoid bone
The pituitary fossa lies within what?
Sella turcica
What are the two types of retina within the eye?
- Nasal retina
- Temporal retina
The optic canal runs through which bone?
Sphenoid bone
The right and left optic nerves combine/cross over forming what?
Optic chiasm
The pituitary gland originates from which embryogenic tissue?
Ectoderm
Which aspect of the pituitary is most glandular?
Anterior
The optic chiasm gives off what?
Optic tracts
Where do the optic tracts synapse?
Thalamus
What happens after the optic tracts synapse in the thalamus?
The next axons in the chain pass via the optic radiation to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe
Optic nerves from the nasal retinae will _______ _______ at the optic chiasm
Optic nerves from the nasal retinae will switch sides at the optic chiasm
What is the name of the condition when a patient loses the ability to see bilaterally in the temporal side of their vision?
Bitemporal hemianopia
Which two surgical procedures can allow access to the pituitary gland?
- Transcranial approach (under frontal lobe)
- Transsphenoidal approach (via nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus)
Which nasal conchae bone is a bone in itself without joining another conchae bone?
Inferior nasal concha
Both the ________ and __________ nasal conchae are part of the _________ bone
Both the superior and middle nasal conchae are part of the ethmoid bone