week 4

Question 1

what: Adenohypophysis,
Derived from Rathke’s pouch
Secretes trophic and non-trophic hormones
Trophic: TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH
Non-trophic: GH and Prolactin

Answer 1

anterior pituitary

Question 2

What: Neurohypophysis,
Extension of neural tissue consists of modified glial cells and axonal processes
Secretes ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin

Answer 2

posterior pituitary

Question 3

histology of anterior pituitary

Answer 3

Islands, cords of cells

Acidophils: Somatotrophs – GH (50%)
Mammotrophs – PRL (20%)
Basophils: Corticotrophs – ACTH (20%)
Thyrotrophs – TSH (5%)
Gonadotrophs – FSH / LH (5%)
Chromophobe

Question 4

histology of posterior pituitary

Answer 4

Posterior contains non-myelinated axons of neurosecretory neurons

Question 5

what pathologies of anterior pituitary cause hyperfunction?

Answer 5

adenoma

carcinoma

Question 6

what pathologies of anterior pituitary cause hypofunction?

Answer 6

Surgery/radiation
Sudden Haemorrhage into gland
Ischaemic necrosis
Sheehan Syndrome
Tumours extending into sella
Inflammatory conditions (Sarcoidosis)

Question 7

where is a Pituitary Adenoma found? associations(genetic)? problems?

Answer 7

anterior pituitary.
sporadic or MEN1.
some excrete Hormones and some non-functional causes compression.

Question 8

what are pathologies of the posterior pituitary

Answer 8

diabetes insipidus

SIADH

Question 9

functional pituitary adenomas. main tumours and signs

Answer 9

prolactinoma(infertility/lack libido), GH secreting(acromegely or gigantism), ATCH secreting (cushing’s)

Question 10

pituitary panhypofunction due to what?

Answer 10

Granulomatous inflammation – sarcoidosis
Infarction – Sheehan’s syndrome (pregnancy)
Primary or metastatic tumours

Question 11

Craniopharyngioma what is it? difference?

Answer 11

brain tumour from pituitary embryological tissue (aka Rathke pouch tumours - presents in kids and 50/60’s)

bitemporal inferior quadrantanopia leading to bitemporal hemianopsia

Question 12

what is SIADH

Answer 12

Ectopic production of ADH – paraneoplastic syndrome

Question 13

what is Diabetes insipidus?

Answer 13

ADH deficiency/resistance

Question 14

what 4 endocrine conditions can cause high BP

Answer 14

conn’s, cushings, phaeochromocytoma, acromegaly

Question 15

what drug is strongly associated with galactorrhoea?

Answer 15

dopamine antagonist

Question 16

classic PC of acromegaly (what patient has noticed)

Answer 16

arthralgia, ring/shoes not fitting, sweating (others happen over years so less noticeable)