Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

lies below the

hypothalamus Connected to it by the pituitary stalk ( infundibulum) Size & shape of a pea 1cm x 1.5cm x 0.5cm size 0.5gm in weight

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Lies in the pituitary

fosse ( sella turcica ) of the sphenoid bone can be approached surgically through the nasal cavity via the sphenoid sinus ( trans - sphenoid approach)

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Cavernous venous sinuses

are on either sides Cavernous venous sinus

Oculomotor nerve (III CN), Ophthalmic nerve & maxillary nerve are on its lateral wall Internal carotid artery & Abducent nerve ( VI CN ) lie in it

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Optic chiasma lies anterior and superior to the pituitary gland

Compression of the optic chiasma by a pituitary tumor

Bitemporal hemianopia

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Two major lobes Posterior lobe ( Neurohypophysis) Anterior lobe (Adenohypophysis)

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Anterior lobe (Adenohypophysis)
Pars distalis ( Pars anterior) largest section

Pars tuberalis surrounds the stalk Pars intermedia separated from Pars anterior by the cleft ( not prominent)

Posterior lobe (Neurohypophysis)

Pars nervosa largest section

Median eminence the upper part Infundibular stalk connection to the

hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Pars anterior ( of the anterior pituitary)
Cords and clumps of endocrine cells Large capillary sinusoids

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis) Pars anterior

a. Chromophils( large cells which take up stains)
-Acidophils ( Growth hormone & prolactin) -Basophils ( TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH / ICSH) b. Chromophobes ( not stained )

Basophil cells ( Releasing Hormones)

TSH ( Thyroid stimulating Hormone)

ACTH ( Adrencortical stmulating Hormone) LH ( Leutinzing Hormone) FSH ( Folicular stimulating Hormone) ISCH ( Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone) Cells in Pars intermedia ( Pale cells filled with colloid) secretes Melanocyte stimulating Hormone (MSH)

Pituitary Gland ( Hypophysis)

Posterior Pituitary
axonal endings from the hypothalamic nuclei Neuroglial cells ( Pituicytes) Paraventricular nucleus secretes Oxytocin Supraoptic nucleus secretes Anti diuretic hormone (ADH)

Hypothalamo Pituitary connections

Portal connections
Neural connections