Pituitary Gland Flashcards
(31 cards)
The anterior pituitary lobe originates from the _____ and the posterior pituitary lobe originates from the _____.
- oropharynx ectoderm
- neuroectoderm


V= 3rd ventricle
O = optic Chiasm
H = connected to hypothalamus
P = stalk/infundibulim
AP = anterior pituitary
PP = posterior pituitary

Pars distalis is also known as the _____.
anterior lobe

Cell types of the pars distalis AKA anterior lobe of the pituitary
- Chromaphils (acidophils & basophils)
- Chromophobes
- Follicular stellate cells

What are the acidophilic chroma cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary AKA pars distalis?
- Somatotrophs
- mammotrophs

What are the basophilic cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary AKA pars distalis?
- corticotrophs
- thyrotrophs
- gonadotrophs

Somatotrophs secrete ___.
growth hormone AKA somatotropin.
(well organized RAR with secretory granules. Unable to see under light microscopy
Mammut ropes AKA lactotrophs secrete _____.
prolactin
(development of mammary gland during pregnancy for most lactation after birth)
Basophils (subcategory of chromophils) of the pars distalis are:
- Gonadotrophs (FSH, LH)
- Corticotrophs (ACTH)
- Thyrotrophs (TSH)
Function of LH in women? In men?
- Triggers ovulation
- Stimulates steroid hormone production in the Leydig cells
Folliculostellate cells
- Non secretory cells of the pars distalis AKA anterior lobe
- Function is unknown

B = basophil (chromophil)
A = acidophil (chromophil)
Ca = capillary
Cp = chromophobe



Type of capillaries in a pituitary
fenestrated capillaries







Pars intermedia
CF= colloid
(Toluidine blue-stained)

Sounds of the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland secretes ______.
melanocyte stimulating hormone
(function is unknown)

Define pars tuberalis
- Forms a sleeve around infundibulum
- Highly vascularized composed of longitudinal chords of weekly Baeza feel like cells

Function of pars tuberalis
Secrete LH and FSH (basophils)

What is the result of a tumor that presses on the optic chiasm?
Bitemporal hemianopia

The pars nervosa is also known as the ______.
posterior pituitary gland

Herring body
Accumulation of neuro secretory granules in the dilated axon terminals
(unique to the pars nervosa)








