Pituitary Gland Flashcards
What is the pituitary gland divided into?
Neurohyphoysis (posterior + stalk)
Adenohypophysis = anterior
Where is the pituitary gland found?
In the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
What is the adenohypophysis split into?
Anterior lobe (pars distalis) Intermediate lobe (pars intermedia) Pars distalis
What is the adenohypophysis derived from?
Oral ectoderm
What is found in the posterior lobe?
Herring bodies containing neuro secretory granules of hormone from the hypothalamus
Unmyelinated axons
What hormones does the posterior lobe secrete?
Oxytocin and ADH
What cell types are found in the anterior lobe?
Basophils, acidophils and chromophobes
Name the cell types that stain basophilic in the anterior pituitary and what they produce
Corticotrophs- ACTH
Thyrotrophs- TSH
Gonadotrophs- LH/FSH
What cells stain acidophilic in the anterior lobe of the pituitary?
Somatotrophs - Growth hormone
Lactotrophs- prolactin
What colour do chromophobes stain?
Pale
Describe the blood supply of the pituitary gland
Post lobe= inferior hypophyseal artery
Ant lobe= superior hypophyseal artery w/ secondary capillary network
Describe the bony features that surround the pituitary gland
Ant and posterior clinoid process
sella turcica
What structures are found superior to the pituitary gland?
Internal carotid artery branches and optic nerves
What happens if there is a lack of growth hormone at tibial growth plates
Less amino acids are incorporated into proteins, growth rate slows
What would happen in a pituitary tumour?
Optic chiasm would be squished-> homonymous hemianopia (peripheral neglect)
