Pituitary gland Flashcards
what are the two components of the neurohypophysis?
pars nervosa
infundibulum
what are the two components of the infundibulum?
median eminence
infundibular process
what are the three components of the adenohypophysis? what is the main part?
pars distalis (main part) pars tuberalis pars intermedia
most empty sella syndrome cases are of what variety?
primary
what is the pathophysiology of primary empty sella syndrome?
arachnoid mater gets pushed into anterior aspect of sella turcica - compresses anterior pituitary
what is the pathophysiology of secondary empty sella syndrome?
infarction - pituitary dies off
both divisions of the pituitary are derived from what germ layer?
ectoderm
from which two parts of the ectoderm does the pituiary gland arise?
anterior - oral ectoderm from roof of stomadeum - upgrowth forming the hypophysial diverticulum (RATHKE’S POUCH)
posterior - neuroectoderm from diencephalon - downgrowth forming the neurohypophysial diverticulum
which signaling molecules control the development of Rathke’s pouch?
BMP-4
FGF-8
what is the clinical significance of remnant’s of Rathke’s pouch?
craniopharyngioma
what is the main blood supply of the pituitary gland?
superior hypophyseal arteries
inferior hypophyseal arteries
where does the superior hypophyseal artery form a plexus?
infundibulum
anterior lobe
the arterial plexus from which artery has anatomical intimacy with the posterior lobe?
inferior hypophyseal artery
what are the three major histological components of the pars distalis?
reticular CT
sinusoidal capillaries
epithelial cords of cells
pituitary adenomas have a decreased amount of what major histological component?
reticulin network
what are the three types of cords of epithelial (glandular) cells based on staining characteristics?
basophils
acidophils
chromophobes
what are the five functional classifications of pituitary cells?
somatotropes mammotropes corticotropes gonadotropes thryotropes
what is the staining characteristic of somatotropes? what do they secrete?
acidophil
GH
what is the staining characteristic of mammotropes? what do they secrete?
acidophils
prolactin
what is the staining characteristic of corticotropes? what do they secrete?
basophils
ACTH and beta-lipotrophic hormone
what is the staining characteristic of gonadotropes? what do they secrete?
basophils
LH and FSH
what is the staining characteristic of thyrotropes? what do they secrete?
basophils
TSH
what are the only acidophils in the pars distalis?
somatotropes
mammotropes
what is the origin of basophils?
residual pars intermedia
