Anatomy of Pituitary Gland (by Serene)

(Sources: Greys, Guytons, Snells Clinical Anatomy)

AKA Hypophysis Cerebri
Small oval structure attached to the undersurface of the brain by the
infunfibulum
Well protected by virtue of its location in the Sella Turcica of the sphenoid
bone.
It is divided into an Anterior Lobe (Adenohypophysis) and Posterior Lobe
(Neurohypophysis)
Embryology: 2 portions of the pituitary orginate from different sources
o Anterior Pituitary: from Rathkes Pouch
: which is an embryonic invagination of the pharyngeal
epithelium
: Hence, composed of epithelial cells
o Posterior Pituitary: from a neural tissue outgrowth from the
hypothalamus
: Hence, contains large numbers of glial-type cells
Anterior Lobe is subdivided into : Pars Anterior (Distalis) & Pars Intermedia
; seperated by a cleft (remnant of an embryonic pouch)
A Projection from the pars anterior, the Pars Tuberalis extends up along the
anterior and lateral surfaces of the pituitary stalk
Relations : o Superiorly: Diaphragm sellae, which has a central aperture allowing
passage of infundibulum. The diaphragma sellae separates the
anterior lobe from the optic chiasma
o Inferiorly: Body of sphenoid, with its sphenoidal air sinuses
o Laterally: Cavernous sinus and its contents
o Posteriorly: Dorsum Sellae, the basilar artery and pons
Blood Supply: Arteries are derived from the superior & inferior
hypophyseal arteries; branches of the internal carotid artery.
o Adenohypophysis: Receives majority of blood supply from Superior hypophyseal artery
Sup.Hyp.Art emerges 5mm distal to origin of ophthalmic artery, eventually
forming primary capillary network found in median eminences.
o Neurohypophysis:
Supplied by inferior hypophyseal artery;
It is the terminal branches of Meningohypophyseal trunk; which arises from
the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery.
Veins :
o Hypophyseal portal veins drain the primary capillary plexus (formed by
the superior hypophyseal arteries), delivering blood to the pars distalis
o Pars distalis in turn houses the secondary capillary plexus
o Hence, a portal venous system allows delivery of hypothalamic
prohormones to the adenohypophysis, while the neurohypophysis
secretes hormones directly into the venous draining system of the
pituitary.
o Additional small venous sinuses in the base of the pituitary fossa
drains into the intercavernous sinuses
o Causes bleeding during transsphenoidal hypophysectomy