Anatomic.us > Nervous System > Brain > Hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland also called hypophysis, ductless gland of the endocrine system, secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream. The term “hypophysis” (Greek for “lying under”) refers to the gland’s position on the underside of the brain. The pituitary gland has a dominant role in the regulation of many various endocrine functions.

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Pituitary Gland

These facts about the pituitary gland that follow support the anatomical knowledge of this gland.

  • The pituitary gland lies at the base of the skull.

  • It is housed within a bony structure called the sella turcica.

  • It weighs about 500 mg. (0.02 ounce) in a normal adult human.

  • The pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk.

  • The pituitary stalk is comprised of the axons of neurons and the hypoph seal portal vein.

  • In most species it is divided into three lobes.

  • The three lobes are the anterior lobe, the intermediate lobe, and the posterior lobe.

  • In humans the intermediate lobe bares some differences from other species.

  • The intermediate lobe in humans does not exist as a distinct anatomical structure.

  • In humans the intermediate lobe remains as cells dispersed within the anterior lobe.

  • Even though the proximity to the anterior lobe exists, the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is functionally distinct from it.

  • The posterior lobe is an integral part of a structure separate of the anterior pituitary called the neurohypophysis.

 

The Anterior and Posterior Pituitary:     

The cells that make up the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland are embryologically derived from an outpouch of the roof of the pharynx called Rathke’s pouch. Under a light microscope 5 different cells can be seen. Each cell secretes a different hormone or hormones. Each pituitary hormone produced in the anterior pituitary is regulated by hormonal production that takes place in the hypothalamus.  While the production of hormones is stimulated by hypothalamic hormones, prolactin, is inhibited by these hormones.The hormones are carried directly to the anterior pituitary from the  hypothalamus by secretion through a portal vein.

The posterior lobe is composed of cellular nerve endings located in specialized areas of the hypothalamus. These nerve cells produce two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin (an anti-diuretic hormone) that are then carried down and stored in the nerve endings that compose the posterior pituitary gland.

 


These facts about the pituitary gland that follow support the anatomical knowledge of this gland.

  • The pituitary gland lies at the base of the skull.

  • It is housed within a bony structure called the sella turcica.

  • It weighs about 500 mg. (0.02 ounce) in a normal adult human.

  • The pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk.

  • The pituitary stalk is comprised of the axons of neurons and the hypoph seal portal vein.

  • In most species it is divided into three lobes.

  • The three lobes are the anterior lobe, the intermediate lobe, and the posterior lobe.

  • In humans the intermediate lobe bares some differences from other species.

  • The intermediate lobe in humans does not exist as a distinct anatomical structure.

  • In humans the intermediate lobe remains as cells dispersed within the anterior lobe.

  • Even though the proximity to the anterior lobe exists, the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is functionally distinct from it.

  • The posterior lobe is an integral part of a structure separate of the anterior pituitary called the neurohypophysis.

 

The Anterior and Posterior Pituitary:     

The cells that make up the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland are embryologically derived from an outpouch of the roof of the pharynx called Rathke’s pouch. Under a light microscope 5 different cells can be seen. Each cell secretes a different hormone or hormones. Each pituitary hormone produced in the anterior pituitary is regulated by hormonal production that takes place in the hypothalamus.  While the production of hormones is stimulated by hypothalamic hormones, prolactin, is inhibited by these hormones.The hormones are carried directly to the anterior pituitary from the  hypothalamus by secretion through a portal vein.

The posterior lobe is composed of cellular nerve endings located in specialized areas of the hypothalamus. These nerve cells produce two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin (an anti-diuretic hormone) that are then carried down and stored in the nerve endings that compose the posterior pituitary gland.

 

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