12 Questions
What is the function of the infundibulum in relation to the pituitary gland?
_connects the pituitary gland to the brain
What is the purpose of the pineal gland?
Produces melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles
Which structure is referred to as the master endocrine gland?
Pituitary gland
What is the location of the pituitary gland?
In the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
What is the function of the pars tuberalis?
Extends up along the anterior and lateral surfaces of the pituitary stalk
What is the structure that forms a cleft that separates the pars anterior and the pars intermedia?
Embryonic pouch
What separates the anterior lobe from the optic chiasma?
Diaphragma sellae
Which arteries supply the pituitary?
Superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries
What influences the activities of the pituitary gland?
Hypothalamus
What forms the pars anterior of the pituitary?
Cells of the anterior wall of the vesicle
What is the pineal gland essentially composed of?
Groups of cells, the pinealocytes
What is the pituitary gland developed from?
Two ectodermal diverticula
Study Notes
Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis Cerebri)
- Located in the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone
- Attached to the undersurface of the brain by the stalk-like infundibulum
- Pierces the diaphragma sellae to reach the gland
- Well-protected by its location
- Often referred to as the master endocrine gland due to its influence on many other endocrine glands
- Vital to life
Structure
- Composed of two lobes: anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and posterior lobe (neurohypophysis)
- Anterior lobe subdivided into pars anterior (pars distalis) and pars intermedia
- Pars tuberalis extends up along the anterior and lateral surfaces of the pituitary stalk
Relations
- Anterior: Sphenoid sinus
- Posterior: Dorsum sellae, basilar artery, and pons
- Superior: Diaphragma sellae with a central aperture allowing passage of the infundibulum
- Inferior: Body of the sphenoid with sphenoid air sinuses
- Lateral: Cavernous sinus and its contents
Blood Supply
- Supplied by the superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries, branches of the internal carotid artery
- Veins drain into the intercavernous sinuses
Functions
- Influences the activities of many other endocrine glands
- Controlled by the hypothalamus, which is modified by information from the central nervous system and plasma levels of electrolytes and hormones
Embryology
- Develops from two sources: Rathke's pouch and the infundibulum
- Rathke's pouch grows superiorly from the roof of the stomodeum
- Infundibulum grows inferiorly from the floor of the diencephalon of the brain
- Cells of the anterior wall of the vesicle form the pars anterior of the pituitary
- Cells of the posterior wall form the pars intermedia
Pineal Gland
- Small cone-shaped body projecting posteriorly from the posterior end of the roof of the third ventricle of the brain
- Composed of groups of cells, the pinealocytes
This quiz covers the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system, including the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and parathyroid glands.
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