Notes on Pituitary Gland

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PITUITARY GLAND (Hypophysis Cerebri)

Location:

Pituitary fossa in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone saddled between the middle and posterior clinoid processes. Pituitary stalk penetrates the diaphragma sella. Sella is lined with dura. Regulated by the hypothalamus (releasing or inhibiting hormones).

Divisions:

1. Neurohypophysis (downgrowth of diencephalon):

Secretes ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin.

2. Adenohypophysis (consists of pars anterior, intermedia and tuberalis).

Secretes tropic hormones (GH, ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin). Releasing hormones or factors of hypothalamus control pituitary function (ie CRF, TRF, GHRF, FSHRF, LRF).

Blood Supply:

Internal carotid artery branches (hypophysial artery); portal vessel. The pituitary portal system is an intricate venous network and channels connecting the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland.

Embryology:

Ectoderm origin.

1. Anterior lobe: from Rathke's pouch (stomodeum).

2. Posterior lobe: diencephalon, neuro-ectoderm diverticulum.

Further Topics on Subcortical Grey Matter:

1. Notes on Thalamus
2. Notes on Pineal Gland
3. Notes on Hypothalamus
4. Notes on Limbic System
5. Notes on Pituitary Gland
6. Notes on Basal Nuclei
7. Amygdaloid Body and Temporal Lobe

Additional Reading:

Basic Neurology

1. Peripheral Nervous System
2. Central Nervous System
3. The Ventricular System
4. The Spinal Cord
5. The Brain Stem
6. The Cerebellum
7. Visual Pathways
8. Diencephalon
9. Basal Ganglia
10. Cerebral Cortex
11. Sleep Disorders
12. Autonomic Nervous System
13. Cranial Nerves and Parasympathetic Ganglia
14. Cells of the Nervous System
15. Cerebrospinal fluid
16. Additional short notes on Cerebrum
17. Functions and Diseases of Cerebrum
18. Subcortical Grey Matter
19. Notes on The Spinal Cord
20. Regulation of Heart Rate by Autonomic Nervous System
21. Action Potentials, Axon Conduction, and Neuromuscular Junction
22. Types of Seizures

Neurology Videos

1. Video of Neurology Examination in a Clinical Setting

Medical Images

Useful Medical Images & Diagrams (link opens in a new window)

Related Topics

1. Nervous System Disorders
2. Histology of Nervous Tissue
3. Cranial Nerve Reflexes
4. Motor System Examination

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