Pituitary Gland Anatomy

Question 1

what do the thalamus and hypothalamus make up

Answer 1

the diencephalon

Question 2

where is the diencephalon found

Answer 2

in the central core of the cerebrum

Question 3

what connects the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

Answer 3

infundibulum

Question 4

what are the two sections of the pituitary gland

Answer 4

anterior and posterior

Question 5

what does the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland secrete

Answer 5

Most of the pituitary hormones

GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH,PRL

Question 6

what makes up the anterior lobe

Answer 6

pars distalis
pars tuberalis
pars intermedia

Question 7

what makes up the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Answer 7

pars nervosa

Question 8

where is the pituitary gland located

Answer 8

pituitary fossa of the sphenoid

Question 9

where does the pituitary fossa lie

Answer 9

within the sella turcica

Question 10

where does the optic chasm lie

Answer 10

immediately superior to the pituitary gland

Question 11

what makes up the optic chiasm

Answer 11

right and left optic nerves coming the NASAL retina

temporal retina dont cross over just go straight down

Question 12

where do the optic nerves synapse

Answer 12

in the thalamus

Question 13

what is the main clinical effect of a pituitary tumour

Answer 13

bitemporal heminantopia due to initial midline compression of the optic chiasm

patient loses the ability to see structures in the temporal side of the visual field bilaterally

Question 14

what are the two approaches to accessing the pituitary fossa in surgery

Answer 14

transcranial approach (sub-frontal lobe)

transsphenoidal approach
via nasal cavities and sphenoid sinus

Question 15

what cranial nerves lie around the pituitary gland

Answer 15

3,4,5,6

Question 16

what are paranasal sinuses

Answer 16

air-filled spaces within the bones surrounding the nasal cavity

Question 17

what are the paranasal located (what bones)

Answer 17

frontal bone (frontal sinuses)
maxillae (maxillary sinuses)
ethmoid (ethmoidal air cells)
sphenoid (sphenoid sinuses)

Question 18

what lines the paranasal sinuses

Answer 18

mucous-secreting respiratory mucosa

Question 19

what does the transnasal approach require in terms of fracture

Answer 19

surgical fracture of the nasal septum and the floor and roof of the sphenoids

Question 20

what le fort fracture gives better surgical access to the pituitary gland

Answer 20

Le Fort 1 down-fracture

Question 21

what is the dura mater

Answer 21

membrane thing that adheres to the internal aspects of the bones in the cranial cavity (lines the inside of the cranial cavity)

Question 22

what is the function of the dura mater

Answer 22

protects the structures of the cranial cavity

Question 23

what happens if the dura mater is damaged

Answer 23

causes leak of cerebrospinal fluid

Question 24

where do the venous channels run

Answer 24

within the dura mater - drain most of the venous blood from the cranial cavity into the internal jugular veins

Question 25

where do the internal carotid arteries pass though

Answer 25

cavernous sinuses

Question 26

what does the optic chiasm do

Answer 26

conducts action potentials from the nasal retina

Question 27

what happens when the optic chiasm is damaged (eg. by a pituitary gland tumour)

Answer 27

bitemporal hemianopia

Question 28

what is the function of the oculomotor nerve

Answer 28

motor innervation to the muscles that move the eyeball

Question 29

what happens if the oculomotor nerve is damages

Answer 29

problems with several eye movement | dilated pupil

Question 30

what does the trochlear nerve do

Answer 30

motor innervation to ONE muscle that moves the globe (eyeball apart from its appendages)

Question 31

what happens if the trochlear nerve is damaged

Answer 31

problems with looking inferiorly and lateral

Question 32

what does the trigeminal nerve do

Answer 32

sensory innervation to most of the face | motor innervation to the muscles of mastication

Question 33

what happens if the trigeminal nerve is damaged

Answer 33

loss of sensation/sensory symptoms in the face difficulty chewing

Question 34

what does the abducens nerve do

Answer 34

motor innervation to ONE muscle that moves the globe

Question 35

what happens if the abducens nerve is damaged

Answer 35

problems with abduction of the eye

Question 36

what does the cavernous sinus do

Answer 36

drains venous blood

Question 37

what happens if the cavernous sinuses are damaged

Answer 37

venous haemorrhage

Question 38

internal carotid artery

Answer 38

supplied arterial blood to brain and orbit

Question 39

what happens when the internal carotid artery

Answer 39

catastrophic haemorrhage