Pituitary Gland

• Description (size, shape, colour, function, hormones)
  • endocrine gland
  • small
    • 10X15X5 mm
    • 0.4 - 0.9 gms
  • oval
  • reddish- brown/reddish gray body
  • bilaterally symmetrical
  • 20% larger in females
  • three parts
    • anterior
      • adenohypophysis (anterior lobe)comprises 80% of the gland
      • endocrine gland portion of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
        • Releasing hormones from the hypothalamus reach the anterior lobe via the hypothalamic-pituitary portal system and stimulate the release of
          • PROLACTIN
          • GROWTH HORMONE
          • ACTH
          • TSH
          • FSH
          • LH.
    • posterior
      • neurohypophysis consisting of
        • posterior lobe, contains hormones synthesized by the neurons of the hypothalamus
          • ADH
          • OXYTOCIN
        • neural stalk
        • infundibulum
          • middle
          • pars intermedius is vestigial in humans
    • The posterior lobe

*eus

* Relations (superior/inferior, right/left, anterior/posterior, correlative levels)
* Support Structures (bones, cartilage)
* Movement (muscles)
* Vascular Supply (arterial supply, venous drainage, lymphatic drainage)
* Innervation (Autonomic, Somatic)

The whole gland lies within the sella turcica bounded anteriorly, posteriorly and inferiorly by the sphenoid bone and laterally by the cavernous sinuses. Superiorly (roof) it is covered by the diaphragmatic sella (thick reflection of dura mater)