Anatomy: Pituitary Gland

Question 1

what is included in the diencephalon of the brain

Answer 1

thalamus and the hypothalamus

Question 2

what part of the brain is the pituitary gland connected to

Answer 2

the hypothalamus

Question 3

what connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus

Answer 3

the infundibulum(or pituitary stalk)

Question 4

what sections is the pituitary gland split up into

Answer 4

anterior lobe and posterior lobe

Question 5

what is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland also called

Answer 5

adenohypophysis

Question 6

what is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland also called

Answer 6

neurohypophysis

Question 7

what are the different part(s) of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Answer 7

pars nervosa

Question 8

what are the different part(s) of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Answer 8

pars tuberalis, pars distalis, pars intermedia

Question 9

which lobe of the pituitary gland is an extension of the brain

Answer 9

the posterior lobe

Question 10

which lobe of the pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of most of the pituitary hormones, and what are they (6)

Answer 10

anterior lobe

GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, PRL

Question 11

what hormones are secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Answer 11

ADH and oxytocin

which are synthesised in the hypothalamus

Question 12

describe where in the skull the pituitary gland sits

Answer 12

midline structure in the pituitary fossa of the sphenoid bone, pituitary fossa lies in sella turcica

Question 13

what part of the visual pathway does the pituitary gland lie close too and have to potential to disrupt

Answer 13

the optic chiasma, formed from the left and right optic nerves(CN II)

Question 14

what can result from the enlargement of the pituitary gland, due to it impinging on nearby structures

Answer 14

bitemporal hemianopia, where patient loses ability to see structures in temporal view bilaterally

Question 15

what is the diaphragm sellae

Answer 15

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

Question 16

where is dura mater found in the skull

Answer 16

entire cranial cavity is internally lined with dura mater

Question 17

briefly describe the transcranial surgical approach used in pituitary gland procedures

Answer 17

it is subfrontal, comes in inferiorly to the frontal lobe

Question 18

briefly describe the transsphenoidal surgical approach used in pituitary gland procedures

Answer 18

goes via nasal cavities, fracturing nasal septum, and through the floor and roof of the sphenoid sinus

Question 19

describe where the sphenoid sinus is, in relation to the pituitary gland

Answer 19

lies in the body of the sphenoid bone, just anterior to the pituitary gland

Question 20

where are the different paranasal sinuses

Answer 20

frontal bone, maxilla, ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone,

Question 21

describe what the paranasal sinuses are

Answer 21

air filled spaces within the bones surrounding the nasal cavity, lined by mucus-secreting respiratory mucosa