Secretory cells of endocrine glands release their products, signaling molecules called hormones, into the neighboring
vascularized compartment for uptake by capillaries and distribution throughout the body.
Pituitary gland (hypophysis)
o Lies on the sphenoid bone, in sella
turcica.
o The anterior part arises from the
hypophyseal (Rathke) pouch from the
roof of the primitive mouth.
o Neurohypophysis consists of a large part,
the pars nervosa, and the smaller
infundibulum stalk attached to the
hypothalamus at the median eminence.
o Adenohypophysis from the oral
ectoderm has 3 parts: pars distalis (anterior lobe), pars tuberalis, and pars intermedia adjacent to the posterior
pars nervosa.
o The pituitary gland is composed of an anterior part and a posterior part that is directly attached to the
hypothalamus region of the brain by an infundibular stalk.
o The gland occupies a fossa of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica
Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract and blood supply:
o Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract goes in the neurohypophysis from 2 important nuclei.
o Peptide hormones ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin are synthesized by large neurons in the supraoptic
(ADH) and para-ventricular (oxytocin) nuclei respectively.
o Blood is supplied by internal carotid artery and drained by hypophyseal vein.
o Superior hypophyseal arteries supply the median eminence and the infundibular stalk
1. This artery divide into a primary plexus of fenestrated capillaries
These capillaries rejoin to form venules that branch again as a larger secondary capillary plexus in the
adenohypophysis.
o Inferior hypophyseal arteries provide blood for the neurohypophysis.
o These vessels are called the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system
Adenohypophysis (Anterior Pituitary)
o All 3 parts come from hypophysisal pouch
,
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