Endocrine Anatomy

Question 1

What is the Infundibulum/Pituitary Stalk?

Answer 1

Protrusion from the Hypothalamus, which sends signals to the Posterior part of the Pituitary Gland.

Question 2

What is the purpose of the connections between the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland?

Answer 2

Hypothalamus Neurons secrete Releasing or Inhibitory Hormones, which stimulate/inhibit the Anterior Pituitary to increase/decrease hormone release.

Travel through the bloodstream in the Hypophyseal Portal Veins to the Second Capillary Bed in the Anterior Pituitary Gland.

Question 3

What is the difference between Secretory and Non-Secretory Disease?

Answer 3

Secretory Disease: Overproduction of a Hormone

Non-Secretory Disease: Underproduction of a Hormone.

Question 4

What embryological tissue is the Pituitary Stalk and the Posterior Pituitary Gland derived from?

Answer 4

Neuroectoderm

Question 5

From what structure is the Anterior Pituitary Gland embryologically derived from?

Answer 5

Ectoderm, which then forms Rathke’s Pouch

Question 6

What are the 3 components of the Anterior Posterior Gland?

Answer 6

1. Pars Distalis
2. Pars Tuberalis
3. Pars Intermedia

Pars Nervosa is Posterior

Question 7

Where is the Pituitary Gland situated in the Cranium?

Answer 7

Midline structure in the pituitary fossa, within the Sella Turcica, of the sphenoid bone.

Surrounded by Dura Mater

Question 8

What structures surround the Pituitary Gland?

Answer 8

Oculomotor Nerves 
Trochlear Nerves 
Abducens Nerves 
Ophthalmic and Maxillary Divisions of Trigeminal Nerves
Internal Carotids 

Susceptible to impingement

Question 9

What structure does the Pituitary Gland sit within?

Answer 9

Venous Sinuses

Question 10

What structure does the Pituitary Gland sit below?

Answer 10

Optic Chiasm

Question 11

What visual defect does a Pituitary Adenoma cause via impingement of the Optic Chiasm?

Answer 11

Bitemporal Hemianopia

Question 12

What is Dura Mater?

Answer 12

Tough, fibrous covering (meninges) of the Brain that is adherent to the internal aspects of all the
bones of the Cranial Vault and covers all the areas of the Fossa.

Question 13

Venous Sinuses are veins. True/False?

Answer 13

False.

Tubes containing pools of venous blood.

Question 14

What is the name of the dura mater forming a roof over the Pituitary Fossa?

Answer 14

Diaphragm Sellae

Question 15

What is the Blood Supply to the Adrenal Glands?

Answer 15

The Right and Left Superior Suprarenal Arteries, which arise from the Celiac Trunk
The Right and Left Middle Suprarenal Arteries, which arise from the Abdominal Aorta itself
The Right and Left Inferior Suprarenal Arteries, which arise from the Renal Arteries

Question 16

What is the name of the narrow connecting band that connects the right and left lobe of the Thyroid Gland?

Answer 16

Isthmus

Question 17

What fascia is the Thyroid Gland surrounded by?

Answer 17

Pretracheal fascia

Question 18

What cartilages does the Thyroid Gland attach to?

Answer 18

Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilages

Question 19

Do Thyroid Gland Swellings move with swallowing?

Answer 19

Yes, due to attachment to Trachea in addition to cartilages and close relationship with larynx.

Question 20

What are the Platysma Muscles?

Answer 20

Muscles of Facial Expression that lie within the Superficial Cervical Fascia.

Question 21

What is the Innervation of the Platysma Muscles?

Answer 21

CN VII

Question 22

What are the Functions of the Platysma Muscles?

Answer 22

Movement of the Lower Lip and Jaw (Inferiorly and Sideways)

Causes double chin

Question 23

What is the Pyramidal Lobe of the Thyroid Gland?

Answer 23

Extension of the Thyroid Glandular Tissue all the way up to the Hyoid Bone*, where it attaches most superiorly, and this is known as the Pyramidal Tissue.

Question 24

What are Embryological Thyroid Problems encountered?

Answer 24

Failure of Descent (Lingual Thyroid)
Excessive Descent
Thyroglossal Ducts

Question 25

What are the 3 Main Fascial Compartments of the Neck?

Answer 25

Pretracheal Fascia Investing Fascia Prevertebral Fascia

Question 26

What is the Retropharyngeal Space?

Answer 26

Blind Pocket posterior to the Pharynx (throat) whose fascia is continuous with that of the Mediastinum in the Thorax, meaning that infection could spread to the Mediastinum by travelling through the Fascia.

Question 27

In which cervical fascial compartment are the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius Muscles found?

Answer 27

Investing Fascia

Question 28

What is the Innervation of the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius Muscles?

Answer 28

CN XI (Spinal Accessory Nerve)

Question 29

Which veins run in the Superficial Cervical Fascia (along with the Platysma Muscles)?

Answer 29

External Jugular Vein | Anterior Jugular Vein

Question 30

What is contained within the Carotid Sheath?

Answer 30

Internal Jugular Veins Internal Carotid Arteries CN X Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

Question 31

Which Muscles lie within the Pretracheal Fascia?

Answer 31

Strap Muscles

Question 32

What are the Strap Muscles?

Answer 32

Sternohyoid (Sternum to Hyoid) Omohyoid (Shoulder to Hyoid) Thyrohyoid (Thyroid Cartilage to Hyoid) Sternothyroid (Sternum to Thyroid Cartilage)

Question 33

What is the Innervation of the Strap Muscles?

Answer 33

Ansa Cervicalis (Neural Necklace found around the Internal Jugular Veins) from Anterior Rami of C1-C3 and innervates the: • Sternohyoid Strap Muscle • Sternothyroid Strap Muscle • Omohyoid Strap Muscle Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII) innervates the Thyrohyoid Muscle.

Question 34

What is the Blood Supply to the Thyroid Gland?

Answer 34

Left and Right Superior Thyroid Arteries pass inferiorly to supply the Thyroid Gland (first branches of the ECA). Left and Right Inferior Thyroid Arteries from Left and Right Subclavian Arteries. Some may have a Thyroid Ima Artery which branches off the Common Carotid Arteries, which passes through the Medial Aspect (almost centrally) of the Anterior Neck.

Question 35

What is the Venous Drainage of the Thyroid Gland?

Answer 35

The Superior and Middle Thyroid Veins from the Internal Jugular Veins. The Inferior Thyroid Veins from the Left Brachiocephalic Vein