Anterior pituitary
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Citation:
Hacking C, Deng F, Gaillard F, Anterior pituitary. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-49846
rID:
49846
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At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
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At the time the article was last revised Francis Deng had no recorded disclosures.
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The anterior pituitary (or adenohypophysis) is by far the largest part of the pituitary gland, and is responsible for synthesis and release of most pituitary hormones (with the exception of oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which are released by the posterior pituitary).
It consists of 3 parts:
Pars distalis
The pars distalis is the largest part of the pituitary gland. It forms from the anterior wall of Rathke pouch. It is composed of cords of epithelial cells individually specialised to secrete tropic hormones acting on target organs:
- growth hormone (somatotropin)
- thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
- leutinizing hormone (LH)
- prolactin
Pars tuberalis
The pars tuberalis is the part of the adenohypophysis which surrounds the anterior aspect of the infundibular stalk.
Pars intermedia
The pars intermedia in a thin layer of epithelial cells located between pars distalis and neurohypophysis. It arises from the posterior wall of Rathke pouch and contains vestigial lumina of Rathke pouch which appear as narrow vesicles of variable length. These may give rise to Rathke cleft cysts (also known as pars intermedia cysts 2-3).
For relations and blood supply, please see the main pituitary gland article here.
References
- 1. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Byun WM, Kim OL, Kim D. MR imaging findings of Rathke's cleft cysts: significance of intracystic nodules. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2000;21 (3): 485-8. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol (full text) - Pubmed citation
- 3. Crenshaw WB, Chew FS. Rathke's cleft cyst. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1992;158 (6): 1312. AJR Am J Roentgenol (citation) - Pubmed citation
- 4. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 5. Butler P, Mitchell A, Healy JC. Applied Radiological Anatomy. Cambridge University Press. (2012) ISBN:0521766664. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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