Pituitary (also:  hypophysis)

 

An extension of the brain attached to the brain by a stalk arising from the hypothalamus.  The pituitary gland sits in the sella turcica where it is separated from the intracranial compartment by the diaphragma sella.

The pituitary can be divided functionally and anatomically into central nervous (brain) and endocrine (hormone producing) tissue.

Neuro (Neurohypophysis)

Brain tissue that extends down along the posterior pituitary from the hypothalamus

Endo (Adenohypophysis)

The part of the pituitary that makes hormones.

 

Stalk (infundibulum)

Pituitary anatomy

Pituitary physiology

Pituitary adenoma

 

Transsphenoidal surgical hazards

 

Transsphenoidal craniotomy - procedure

 

 


Skull base Specialty Center

 
Pituitary seen on a sagittal section of the whole brain.

 

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