NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Development of the Pituitary Gland
1. Infundibular process
2. Brain
3. Rathke’s pouch
4. Infundibulum
5. Pars distalis
6. Pars tuberalis
7. Pars nervosa
8. Pars intermedia
Comment: The posterior lobe of the pituitary (neurohypophysis,
pars nervosa) derives from the brain and contains axonal processes
from the hypothalamus that secrete oxytocin and vasopressin into
the general circulation. The anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) derives
from the roof of the stomodeum and encircles the base of the
neurohypophysis. The adenohypophysis contains pituicytes that
respond to releasing and inhibitory factors produced by neurons,
secreted into the hypophyseal-portal vascular system (a private
vascular channel) at the contact zone of the median eminence.
Pituicytes can be the source of tumor development (e.g., growth
hormone–secreting cells), producing endocrine deficits and mass
effects from impingment on the nearby optic chiasm.
Overview of the Nervous System See book 8.22