Station 1: The Pituitary Gland and the Hypothalamus Flashcards Preview

Endocrine - Anatomy (Year 2) > Station 1: The Pituitary Gland and the Hypothalamus > Flashcards

Flashcards in Station 1: The Pituitary Gland and the Hypothalamus Deck (25)
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1
Q

What is this and what does it contain?

A

Sella turcica

  • Pituitary gland
2
Q

How does the optic chiasm relate to the pituitary gland?

A

Sits on top of it

3
Q

Which fibres, nasal or temporal, cross at the optic chiasm?

A

Nasal

4
Q

If there is pressure on the optic chiasm, what is the resultant visual field defect?

A

Bitemporal hemianopia

5
Q

How many lobes does the pituitary gland have?

A

2

Anterior

Posterior

6
Q

Which is larger of the two lobes?

A

Anterior pituitary

7
Q

Which of the two lobes is

A) Glandular

B) Neuroendocrine

A

A) Anterior pit

B) Posterior pit

8
Q
A
9
Q

What is the pars intermedia?

A

The intermediate between the two lobes

10
Q

identify the two lobes

A

Posterior = white

Anterior = pink

11
Q

What are the 3 types of cells present in the pituitary gland on histology and what colour do they stain?

A

Acidophilic - Pink

Basophilic - Purple

Chromophobes - don’t stain (chromo- colour . phobes - avoid)

12
Q

What is a key thing that sets the pituitary apart from other glands?

A

There is no distinct organisation of the cells

13
Q

What are the two types of acidophils?

A

Somatotrophs

Mammotrophs

14
Q

What do somatotrophs secrete?

A

Growth hormone

15
Q

What do mammotrophs secrete and what is their target organ?

A

Prolactin

Mammillary glands

16
Q

What are the three types of basophils?

A

Corticotrophs

Thyrotrophs

Gonadotrophs

17
Q

What is secreted by the corticotrophs?

A

ACTH

MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone)

18
Q

What is secreted by thyrotrophs?

A

TSH

19
Q

What is secreted by gonadotrophs?

A

FSH

LH

20
Q

What are the main secretory cells in the posterior pituitary?

A

Axons of magnocellular neurones

21
Q

What hormones are secreted by the posterior pituitary?

A

Oxytocin

Vasopressin

22
Q

What is the blood supply of the pituitary gland?

A

The superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries

23
Q

Which artery out of the superior and inferior hypophyseal artery forms the hypothalamic hypophyseal portal system?

A

Superior hypophyseal artery

24
Q

What does the inferior hypophyseal artery supply?

A

The posterior pituitary

25
Q

What is the purpose of the hypothalamic hypophyseal portal system?

A

Allows the hypothalamus to communicate with the anterior pituitary

  • Secretes releasing hormones that act on the various cells in the ant pit