Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland Flashcards
what endocrine glands are contained in the cranial cavity?
hypothalamus
pituitary gland
how many parathyroid glands are there?
4
what endocrine glands are in the abdominal cavity?
2 adrenal glands
pancreas
what does the cerebellum do?
controls movement
what structure does most cranial nerves come off of?
brainstem
what makes up the diencephalon?
thalamus and hypothalamus
what structure forms the centre of the cerebrum?
diencephalon
what structure does the pituitary gland come off of?
hypothalamus
name these structure from superior to posterior: medulla oblongata, midbrain, pons
midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata
what structure connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?
infundibulum
is the pituitary gland split into lobes? if so, what are they?
yes, anterior and posterior
what lobe of the pituitary gland is mainly a connection of nerve cells?
posterior
what lobe of the pituitary gland releases ADH?
posterior
where specifically is the pituitary gland located in the cranial cavity?
pituitary fossa of the sphenoid bone
what area of the sphenoid bone does the pituitary fossa lie?
sella turcica
what would be the clinical presentation of a pituitary tumour?
vision affected
what structure contains photoreceptors?
retina
2 types of retina?
cones
rods
what structure lies immediately superior to the pituitary gland?
optic chiasm
what nerves form the optic chiasm
right and left optic nerves (cn2)
what structures extend back from the optic chiasm?
optic tracts
where do the optic tracts synapse?
thalamus
where do the post-synaptic optic axons travel to?
visual cortex in the occipital lobe
what side of the retina does nasal vision hit?
temporal side
what side of the retina does temporal vision hit?
nasal side
what effect does a pituitary tumour have on eyesight?
disrupt any action potentials from the nasal retina by compressing the optic chiasm -> this stops the patient having temporal vision
what effect on the eyes would failed temporal vision have?
cant see on the outer areas of the eye but can see inner
what is failed temporal vision on both eyes called?
bilater hemianopia
what are the main 2 methods for getting into the brain called?
transcranial
transsphenoidal
what bones do the nasal conchae belong to?
inferior is its own bone
superior and middle are part of ethmoid
what are the paranasal sinuses lined by?
mucous secreting respiratory mucosa
what are the 4 main paranasal sinuses?
frontal sinuses
maxillary sinuses
ethmoidal air cells
sphenoidal sinuses
what paranasal sinus is usually affected in sinusitis?
maxillary sinus
what 2 structures do the ethmoidal air cells lie between?
nasal cavity
orbit
where do the right and left frontal sinuses connect?
midline
what artery crosses the pons arteriorly?
basilar artery
what is dura mater?
a lining of the internal cranial cavity
what makes up the basilar artery?
2 vertebral arteries
what is tentorium cerebelli?
tough sheet of dura mater “tenting” over the cerebellum within the posterior cranial fossa
what part of the cranial fossa is the tentorium cerebelli in?
posterior cranial fossa
what is diaphragm sellae?
tough sheet of dura mater forming a roof over the pituitary fossa
what structure does the venous channels of the brain lie in?
dura mater
what do the venous channels of the cranial cavity drain into?
internal jugular veins
what is the anterior intercavernous sinus?
connects the right and left cavernous sinuses anterior to pituitary gland
what arteries pass through the cavernous sinuses of the cranial cavity?
internal carotid arteries
where do the dural venous sinuses drain into the internal jugular veins?
jugular foraminae
name the nerves of the right cavernous sinus from anterior to posterior
CN: 3 4 6 5
what muscle is the oculomotor nerve sensory for?
sphincter muscle of iris
effect of a damaged oculomotor nerve?
problem moving eye
dilated pupil
what is the function of the trochlear nerve?
motor supply to one muscle that moves the globe
effect of a damaged trochlear nerve?
problems moving eye
what does the trigeminal nerve do?
sensory supply to eye, maxilla, mandible; motor to muscles of mastication
effect of problems with trigeminal nerve?
sensory problems on face
difficulty chewing
what does the abducent nerve do?
motor supply to one muscle that moves the globe
what would a problem in the abducent nerve present as?
problems with eye movements
what does the cavernous sinus do?
drains venous blood
what does the internal carotid artery do?
blood to brain and orbit including glove
what would happen if dura mater was damaged?
CSF leak
