Anterior pituitary and Hypothalamus 1 Dr khuram Shahzad

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland • The hypothalamus and pituitary gland form a unit that

Morphology • The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is located in a small depression in the

Pituitary • “Master” gland • Most of the pituitary hormones control other endocrine glands

Nomenclature • Pituitary • Greek • ptuo (to spit) • Latin • Pituita (mucus)

Pituitary Anatomy Gross • Sits in sella turcica • Surrounded by dura • Sphenoid

Pituitary Anatomy Gross • Symmetrical bean shaped • Brownish red • • 13 mm

Pituitary Anatomy Microscopic • Anterior lobe 3 divisions • Pars distalis • Largest •

Cells: • Acidophils • Somatotroph • Lactotroph • Basophils • Gonadotrophs • Thyrotrophs •

Physiology of the Anterior Pituitary Gland • There are six anterior pituitary hormones whose

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• Anterior pituitary and Hypothalamus. (1) • Dr. khuram Shahzad khan

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland • The hypothalamus and pituitary gland form a unit that exerts control over the function of several endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenals, and gonads), as well as a wide range of physiologic activities • This unit constitutes an example of neuroendocrinology—brainendocrine interactions 2

Morphology • The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is located in a small depression in the sphenoid bone, the sella turcica, just beneath the hypothalamus • It is connected to the hypothalamus by a thin stalk called the infundibulum Sella turcica 4

Pituitary • “Master” gland • Most of the pituitary hormones control other endocrine glands

Nomenclature • Pituitary • Greek • ptuo (to spit) • Latin • Pituita (mucus) • Mucus was produced by the brain and was excreted through the nose by the pituitary

Pituitary Anatomy Gross • Sits in sella turcica • Surrounded by dura • Sphenoid • Lateral and inferior • Lateral • Cavernous sinus • Internal carotid artery • CN III, IV, VI, V 1 and V 2

Pituitary Anatomy Gross • Symmetrical bean shaped • Brownish red • • 13 mm transverse 9 mm AP 6 mm height Adult • • 0. 4 -0. 9 grams Larger in women Larger in multiparous women During pregnancy increases to 0. 9 -1 grams

Pituitary Anatomy Microscopic • Anterior lobe 3 divisions • Pars distalis • Largest • Hormone producing cells • Pars intermedia • Poorly defined in the human • Pars tuberalis • Upward extension to the anterior lobe and attached to pituitary stalk • Posterior lobe • Pars nervosa

Cells: • Acidophils • Somatotroph • Lactotroph • Basophils • Gonadotrophs • Thyrotrophs • Corticotrophs (can’t distinguish) • Chromophobes

Physiology of the Anterior Pituitary Gland • There are six anterior pituitary hormones whose physiological importance is clearly established • They include the hormones that govern the function of the: • • thyroid and adrenal glands, the gonads, the mammary glands, and bodily growth 11