The pituitary is a pea-sized gland hanging from the base of the brain on a short stalk, sitting in a bony cup of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica. Often called the master gland, it releases hormones that control the thyroid, adrenal glands, gonads, growth and water balance, under direction from the hypothalamus above it.
| Location | In the sella turcica (hypophyseal fossa) of the sphenoid bone, below the hypothalamus and optic chiasm, between the two cavernous sinuses, roofed by the diaphragma sellae |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract (to posterior lobe) |
| Blood Supply | Superior hypophyseal arteries; Inferior hypophyseal arteries |
| Venous drainage |
|
Releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, the stress response, reproduction, lactation and water balance. The anterior lobe is controlled by hypothalamic releasing hormones carried in portal blood; the posterior lobe releases hormones made by hypothalamic neurons.
Pituitary adenomas are common benign tumours that cause problems either by secreting excess hormone (prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH) or by pressing on nearby structures. The optic chiasm lies just above the gland, so upward growth classically causes loss of the outer halves of both visual fields (bitemporal hemianopia). Most tumours are removed through the nose and sphenoid sinus (transsphenoidal surgery).
A benign tumour of the anterior pituitary that may overproduce a hormone or compress the optic chiasm, causing headache and visual field loss.
Reduced output of one or more pituitary hormones, from tumour, surgery, radiotherapy, head injury or bleeding, leading to fatigue, low blood pressure, infertility and other effects.
Sudden bleeding into or infarction of the pituitary, usually within an adenoma, causing severe headache, visual loss and acute hormone failure; an emergency.
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