Gross anatomy of pituitary and pineal gland Flashcards
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What type of gland is the pituitary gland classified as?
Endocrine gland- An organ that makes hormones that are released directly into the blood and travel to tissues and organs all over the body. Endocrine
What is the weight of the pituitary gland
0.5g
Is the pituitary land apart of the brain?
No; it is a protrusion of the bottom of the hypothalamus
What is the name of the small bony cavity that the pituitary gland rests in?
Sella Turcica
What covers the sella turcica
A dural fold - Diaphragma sellae
What functionally connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus
Median Eminence via small tube - Infundibular system ( Pituitary stalk)
Where does the pituitary gland sit?
Sits in the pituitary fossa which is situated in the sphenoid bone in middle cranial fossa at base of brain
How many hormones does the pituitary gland secrete?
9
The pituitary gland has dual embryological origin; name them
Part from the developing brain
part from the developing oral cavity
How is the hypophyseal pouch of Rathke formed
Epithelium of pharyngeal roof (oral cavity) forms an outpocketing.
(outpocketing of ectoderm)
Formation of adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)
Hypophyseal pouch detaches from oral cavity and becomes glandular portion of hypophysis
What forms the neurohypophysis
Downgrowth from developing brain (diencephalon) forms neural portion of hypophysis
Occurs at the same time as the formation of anterior pituitary
What is the function of the hypothalamus in relation to the pituitary gland
- Control the release of hormones from the adenohypophysis.
- Secrete hormones that are stored in and released from the neurohypophysis
Another name for the cavernous sinus is
Lateral sellar compartment
What is the cavernous sinus
Large collection of thin walled veins creating a cavity that is lateral to the sella turcica
