Where is the pituitary gland located?

The pituitary gland is a small oval gland located within the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone. It is suspended from the floor of the third ventricle by the infundibulum and enclosed in a dural sheath.

What are the main subdivisions of the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland has two main subdivisions: the adenohypophysis (anterior lobe), which secretes hormones like growth hormone and ACTH, and the neurohypophysis (posterior lobe), which stores and releases oxytocin and ADH.

How does the hypothalamus connect to the pituitary gland?

The hypothalamus connects to the pituitary gland through the hypothalamohypophysial tract, which carries vasopressin and oxytocin to the posterior pituitary, and the hypothalamohypophysial portal system, which allows releasing/inhibitory hormones to control anterior pituitary secretion.

What are the clinical effects of pituitary tumors?

Pituitary tumors, such as adenomas, can cause mass effects like bitemporal hemianopia from optic chiasm compression and hormonal effects like gigantism/acromegaly from excess growth hormone or diabetes insipidus from ADH deficiency.

What is the blood supply to the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland receives arterial supply from the superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries, which branch from the internal carotid artery. Venous drainage occurs via short veins into the cavernous and intercavernous sinuses.

What surgical approaches are used for pituitary gland procedures?

Common surgical approaches include the transsphenoidal approach through the sphenoidal sinus and the transfrontal approach via the anterior cranial fossa by lifting the frontal lobe.

Pituitary Gland – Anatomy, Lobes & Relations