The infundibulum, or pituitary stalk, is the funnel-shaped stem that connects the floor of the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. It carries nerve fibres from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to the posterior pituitary, and the portal blood vessels that carry hypothalamic releasing hormones to the anterior pituitary.
| Location | Extends downward from the tuber cinereum, behind the optic chiasm, through the opening in the diaphragma sellae to the pituitary gland |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Superior hypophyseal arteries (internal carotid artery) |
Physically and functionally links the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, transporting both nerve signals and hormones.
Stalk thickening on MRI suggests conditions such as Langerhans cell histiocytosis, germinoma, sarcoidosis or lymphocytic hypophysitis, and often presents with diabetes insipidus. Stalk compression by a pituitary mass reduces dopamine reaching the gland, raising prolactin (the stalk effect). Stalk section in head trauma can cause hypopituitarism.
Mild rise in prolactin caused by compression of the stalk interrupting dopamine delivery to the anterior pituitary.
Infiltration of the stalk by inflammatory or tumour processes causing loss of vasopressin delivery and excessive urination.
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