Pituitary Gland Flashcards
Derived from the primitive gut by an upward extension (Rathke’s pouch) of the epithelium of primitive mouth cavity (stomodeum)
Anterior lobe (Adenohypophysis)
Devs as downward evagination of neural tube at the base of the hypothalamus (infundibulum)
True brain extension
Neural or posterior lobe (Neurohypophysis)
A derivative of neural ectoderm
Neurohypophysis
Pituitary gland location
Hypophyseal fossa in the sella tursica
Pituitary is protected by and covered by
p/b Sphenoid bone (lateral & inferior)
c/b Dura (dense CT that lines sella tursica)
Covered superiorly by diagrama sellae, a dural sheath that forms the roof of the sella
Pituitary gland anatomic relations:
Superior: Diaphragma sella
Inferior: Body of sphenoid
Lateral: Cavernous sinus
Posterior: Dorsum sellae, basilar artery, pons
S. D
I. B
L. C
P. D
Gross characteristics of pituitary
Oval, bean-shaped, symmetrical, brownish red organ
Wt. = 0.4-0.9g
Anterior lobe (80%)
Pars distalis
Pars intermedia
Pars tuberalis
Largest, site of hormone-producing cells
Pars distalis
Consists of the median eminence of tuber cinereum, the infundibular stem of the hypophyseal stalk, and infundibular process or posterior neural tube
Posterior lobe/Neurohypophysis
- reach the main body of the gland thru the diaphragma sellae
- consists of infundibular stem and the adenohypophysial tissue that is continuous w the infundibular stem
Pituitary (hypophysial) stalk
Represents the bulk of the anterior lobe in humans and receives most of its bld supply from the superior (anterior) hypophyseal portal system
Source of pituitary tropic hormones
Pars distalis
Lies between pars distalis and neural lobe
Vestigial structure in humans
Avascular & almost non-existent in humans
Pars intermedia
Elongated collection of secretory cells
Superficially envelopes that infundibular stem and extends upward as far as the basal hypothalamus
Mist vascular portion of the anterior
Pars tuberalis
Located beneath 3rd ventricle
Smol, highly vascular protrusions of the dome shaped base, designated as tuber cinereum
The floor of third ventricle is designated as infundibulum (funnel)
Median eminence
Arises in median eminence
Infundibular stem (neural stalk) of posterior lobe
Retains neural connection w the ventral diencephalon
Pars nervosa
Retains neural connection w the ventral diencephalon
Pars nervosa
Storage and secretory site for hormones; not termed as endocrine gland
Posterior lobe
Granular secretory cells that exists in two forms
Chromophils
Account for abt 80% of the chromophils and are the cellular source of prolactin and GH
Acidophils (eosinophils)
Comprise abt 20% of chromophils are source of TSG, ACTH, LH, FSH, B-lipotropic hormone (B-LPH)
Basophils
Agranular cells that are not precursors of the chromophils are now known as to have an active secretory fxn
Degranulated secretory cells
Chromophobes
The GH-secreting cells are identified as acidophilic ind std hemotoxylin prep; located in the lateral portions of the anterior lobe
Accounts for abt 50% of the adenohypophyseal cells
Somatotropes