Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Endocrine > Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland > Flashcards

Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland Flashcards

1
Q

what are the major endocrine glands in each part of the body?

A

cranial cavity = hypothalamus and pituitary
neck = 4 parathyroid and thyroid gland
abdomen (retroperitoneum) = 2 adrenal glands and pancreas
pelvis (female) = 2 ovaries
perineum (male) = 2 testes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the diencephalon?

A

thalamus + hypothalamus

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the components of the brainstem?

A

midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata
spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

how are the hypothalamus and pituitary related?

A

hypothalamus sits above the pituitary

hypothalamus is connected to pituitary via the pituitary stalk/infundibulum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the parts of the pituitary?

A

anatomically and functionally divided into the anterior and posterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

how does the pituitary develop?

A

folding of stomodeal roof forms rathkes pouch

folding of diencephalic tissue forms infundibulum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are the 2 functional parts of the pituitary?

A

rathkes pouch forms anterior pituitary - glandular function as formed from ectoderm
infundibulum formed from neuroderm so neural tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the parts of the anterior lobe of the pituitary?

A

pars distalis
pars tuberalis
pars intermedia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the anterior lobe also known as and what does it do?

A 
adenophysis
synthesis and release of most pituitary hormones
- GH
- THS
- ACTH
- FSH
- LH
- PRL
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the posterior lobe also known as and what does it do?

A

neurophysis
extension of the brain
releases ADH and OT (synthesised in the hypothalamus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what are the parts of the posterior lobe?

A

pars nervosa

pars intermedia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

where is the pituitary gland located?

A

midline structure in the pituitary fossa of the sphenoid bone
immediately inferior to the optic chiasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

where is the pituitary fossa located?

A

within the sella turcica

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

which nerves lie around the pituitary gland?

A

cranial nerve3, 4, 5i, 5ii and 6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the optic chiasm?

A

formed from the right and left optic nerve as they cross over (CN 2s)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the visual pathway?

A

optic nerves from nasal retinas cross over in the nasal chiasm
the right and left optic nerves pass posteriorly from the chiasm and synapse in the thalamus
the next axons in the chain pass via the optic radiation to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is the significance of the optic nerves crossing over?

A

signals from the right nasal nasal retina are processed in the left side of the brain and vice versa

18
Q

how can a pituitary tumour affect vision?

A

can compress the optic chiasm which disrupts the transmission of action potentials from the nasal retina bilaterally meaning the patient loses vision in the temporal field bilaterally

19
Q

what is bitemporal hemianopia?

A

bilateral loss of temporal vision

20
Q

what are the 2 possible surgical approaches to access the pituitary fossa?

A 
transcranial = subfrontal - under the frontal lobe
transsphenoidal = via nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus
21
Q

where does the pituitary sit in relation to the sphenoid sinus?

A

above

22
Q

which bone forms most of the nasal cavity?

A

ethmoid

- perpendicular plate forms nasal septum

23
Q

what are the concha and what bone forms them?

A

superior, middle and inferior
cause turbulent air flow and heat and moisten air
formed from ethmoid bone

24
Q

what are paranasal sinuses?

A

air filled spaces within the bones surrounding the nasal cavities

25
Q

what are the paranasal sinuses and what bones form them?

A 
frontal sinuses (frontal bone)
maxillary sinus (maxilla)
ethmoidal air cells (ethmoid bone)
sphenoid sinuses (sphenoid bone)
26
Q

what is the function of paranasal sinuses?

A

lined by mucous secreting respiratory mucosa
make mucous and drain it into the nasal cavities through ostia
reduce weight of skull
add resonance to the voice

27
Q

where is each sinus located?

A 
ethmoid = 3 groups between nasal cavity and orbit
maxillary = 1 within each maxilla
sphenoid = within body of sphenoid bone
frontal = often connect in the midline
28
Q

what is required for transspehnoidal transnasal approach of surgery?

A

surgical fracture of the nasal septum and the floor (septum) and roof of the sphenoid sinuses

29
Q

what surgical approach can be used for access to the nasal cavities in complicated cases?

A

le fort 1 down fracture

30
Q

what are the most important cranial nerves in relation to the pituitary and structures at risk?

A

CN 1-6

31
Q

what vessels are present within the brain?

A

internal carotids

vertebral arteries which join to form basillar artery

32
Q

what vessels form the circle of willis in the brain?

A

left and right internal carotids
left and right anterior cerebral arteries
left and right posterior cerebral arteries
anterior communicating artery
posterior communicating artery

33
Q

what is the dura mater?

A

tough sheet of membrane covering the brain

adherent to the internal aspects of all the bones of the cranial vault

34
Q

what is the diaphragm sellae?

A

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

35
Q

what is the tentorium cerebelli?

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

36
Q

what nerves pass through the cranial fossa?

A

CN 2-6

37
Q

what are dural venous sinuses and what do they do?

A

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

38
Q

what are the dural venous sinuses and what happens at each?

A

anterior intercavernous sinus (connects right and left cavernous sinuses anterior to pituitary)
left and right cavernous sinuses (internal carotids pass through, either side of the pituitary)

39
Q

where is the pituitary in relation to the diaphragm sellae?

A

inferior

40
Q

path of internal carotid artery in brain?

A

enters carotid canal in the temporal bone

turbulent path up through cavernous sinus and around pituitary

Endocrine (45 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions