Pathology of Pituitary and Adrenal Glands Flashcards
what is the anterior pituitary derived from
Rathkes pouch
what trophic hormones does the anterior pituitary produce
TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH
what non trophic hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary
GH and prolactin
what is a trophic hormone
one that has a growth affect on endocrine glands and stimulates them to produce their hormones
what is the andenohypophysis
anterior pituitary gland
what is the neurohypophysis
posterior pituitary gland
what does posterior pituitary tissue consist of
is an extension of neural- consists of modified glial cells and axonal processes
what does the posterior pituitary secrete
vasopressin and oxytocin
describe the histology of the posterior pituitary gland
non- myelinated axons of neurosecretory neurones
describe the histology of the anterior pituitary gland
islands, cords of cells,
acidophils,
basophils,
chromophobes
what cells produce GH
type of acidophil called somatotrophs
what type of cell produces PRL
type of acidophil called mammotrophs
what type of cell produces ACTH
type of basophil called corticotrophs
what type of cell produces TSH
type of basophil called thyrotrophs
what type of cell produces FSH, LH
type of basophil called gonadotrophs
what can cause hyperfunction of the anterior pituitary
adenoma, carcinoma
what can cause hypofunction of the anterior pituitary
surgery/ radiation, sudden haemorrhage into gland, ischaemic necrosis (sheehan syndrome in pregnancy), tumours extending into sella, inflammatory conditions (sarcoidosis)
what causes SIADH
ectopic secretion of ADH by tumours
primary disorder int the pituitary
what condition can
pituitary adenomas be associated with
MEN1- werner syndrome
what are pituitary adenomas classified by
cell type/ hormone produced
can be hypo/non functional (mass lesion which compresses surrounding normal pituitary tissues which will atrophy)
can produce more than 1 hormone
what are features of large pituitary adenomas
visual field defects,
can cause pressure atrophy of surrounding normal tissue,
infarction can lead to panhypopituitarism
what are the functional pituitary adenomas
prolactinoma (most common), GH secreting, ACTH secreting
what are the symptoms of a prolactinoma
infertility, lack of libido, amenorrhea
what are the features of a growth secreting hormone
GH causes increase in insulin like growth factors (IGF)
stimulates growth of bone, cartilage and connective tissue
gigantism or acromegaly
what are the symptoms of an ACTH tumour
cushings disease
bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia
what do functional pituitary carcinomas usually secrete
prolactin or ACTH
what can cause panhypopituitarism
granulomatous inflammation- sarcoidosis
infarction- sheehans syndrome
primary or metastatic tumours
what is a craniopharyngioma
intracranial tumour derived from remnants of rathke’s pouch, often suprasellar
who gets craniopharynogioma
5-15 years
eldery- 6th to 7th decades
what are the symptoms of craniopharyngioma
visual disturbances, children may have growth retardation
what is the prognosis like for craniopharyngioma
very good (especially if under 5cm)