HYPOPHYSIS
By: Dr. Frederic Asanza
HYPOPHYSIS
ENDOCRINE GLANDs
 Ductless glands
 Secrete chemical agents called HORMONES w/c
are transported in blood to distant TARGET CELLs
that have specific surface receptors, & induce an
intracellular response
HYPOPHYSIS (Pituitary Gland)
 Located @ the base of brain
 Length: 1cm; Width: 1-1.5cm; Depth: 0.5cm
 Weight: 0.5g in males, more in females
 Has neural & vascular connections w/ brain
 Produces several hormones that have important
functions in the regulation of metabolism,
growth, & reproduction
 SELLA TURCICA- deep recess in the SPHENOID
bone occupied by the hypophysis
 DIAPHRAGMA SELLAE- dura mater lining on sella
turcica w/c forms a fibrous capsule around the
intrasellar portion of hypophysis & a layer over
its upper surface
 Thin layer between sella turcica & cranial cavity
is incomplete w/ a 5mm diameter thru w/c the
infundibular stalk passes
 INFUNDIBULAR / PITUITARY STALK- Infundibular
Stem + surrounding Pars Tuberalis
 2 MAJOR SUBDIVISIONs:
1. ADENOHYPOPHYSIS (Anterior Lobe)
 Originates as a dorsal evagination from the roof
of embryonic pharynx
 RELEASING FACTORS (RFs)
 Neurohumors that activates the cells for
secretory activity of the adenohypophysis
 Produced by neurons in MEDIAN EMINENCE
& carried to ant. lobe
 HYPOPHYSEOPORTAL SYSTEM
 Portal system of veins that carries RFs from
median eminence to ant. lobe
 Composed of venules connecting primary
plexus in median eminence + secondary
plexus of sinusoids in ant. Lobe
 2 Major Fxn: Supplies major portion of
blood circulating in ant. Lobe & carries the
RFs
 3 SUBDIVISIONS:
a. PARS DISTALIS (Anterior Lobe)
 Composed of irregular cords or clusters
of glandular cells
 Stroma not abundant
 CT accompanying Sup. Hypophyseal
Artery & Portal veins extend into
anterior lobe
 Cords of parenchymal cells & the
sinusoids are surrounded by delicate
reticular fibers
 Endothelial lining is fenestrated for
diffusion of RFs into glands
 HORMONES produced:
Encoded by: LA
 ACIDOPHILS & secretion
- most numerous in posterolateral
portion of anterior lobe
- relatively small rounded cells w/
well developed golgi & small
shaped mitochondria; cytoplasm
stains w/ eosin; granules are large
- Somatotrophs (somatotrophin or
growth hormone), Mammotrophs
(prolactin)
 BASOPHILS & secretion
- Stains well w/ aniline blue of
Mallory’s trichrome stain
- Thyrotrophs (Thyroid-stimulating
hormone), Corticotrophs
(corticotrophin), Gonadotrophs
(FSH & LH/ICSH)
 CHROMOPHOBES- cells that show little
or no cytoplasmic staining; most likely
partially degranulated acidophils or
basophils
 FOLLICULOSTELLATE CELLs
 principal nonsecretory cells of pars
distalis
 apices of the cells are joined laterally
by juxtaluminal junctional complexes
& have microvilli & occasional cilia
projecting into lumen
 Has tendency to form epitheloid
aggregates around small lumen
(hence, called follicular cells) or may
take on branching form w/ multiple
processes (stellate cells). Both are
descriptive terms of a single type of
cell, so to avoid confusion, the term
“Folliculostellate Cells” is used
 Contains: compliment of organelles,
occasional lipid droplets, few beta
granules of glycogen
 No secretory granules & binds little
dye
 Reacts w/ gliofibrillar acid protein w/c
suggests the possible function of
these cells is comparable to that of
glial cells of the nervous system,
providing supportive framework &
maintaining favorable fluid &
electrolyte environment for secretory
cells
b. PARS TUBERALIS / INFUNDIBULARIS
 Thin investment of glandular tissue
that extends upward from the
adenohypophysis to envelop the
infundibular stem & median eminence
 25-60 µm thick, thickest on anterior
portion & frequently absent on
posterior portion
 Separated from infundibulate stalkby
thin layers of CT continuous w/ pia
arachnoid

HYPOPHYSIS
By: Dr. Frederic Asanza
 MOST HIGHLY VASCULAR subdivision
of hypophysis, containing arterial
supply to ant. Lobe & venules of
hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal
system
 Distinctive morphological feature:
longitudinal arrangement of its cords
of epithelial cells w/c occupy the
interstices between longitudinally
oriented BVs
 Principal Cells: 12-18 µm, cuboidal or
low columnar; short rod-like
mitochondria; cytoplasm w/ small
dense granules, numerous lipid
droplets, occasional colloid droplets,
significant amt of glycogen
c. PARS INTERMEDIA
 Cleft, lined on the juxtaneural side by
stratified epithelium of basophilic cells,
that separates pars distalis from
neurohypophysis
 In humans, this is rudimentary in
adults. Soon after development in
embryo, its cells mingle w/ those of
pars distalis & no longer recognizable
as separate entity
 Usually becomes discontinuous in the
postnatal period & is represented in
the adult by a zone of cysts (RATHKE’s
CYSTs) often lined by ciliated
epithelium & contain pale-yellow
viscous fluid
 Cells: large polygonal epithelial cells
rich in mitochondria, well-developed
ER, conspicuous golgi complex, &
numerous secretory granules on
cytoplasm
 HORMONE Secreted: MSH
(melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
 Proopiomelanocortin (POMC)- large
glycosylated prohormone w/c is
synthesized by cells of pars intermedia,
& is cleaved to form alpha MSH (13
AAs) & beta MSH (22 AAs)
2. NEUROHYPOPHYSIS / PARS NERVOSA (Posterior
Lobe)
 Downgrowth development of diencephalon
 Consists of glial elements, and axons & axon
terminals of neurons whose cell bodies are
located in hypothalamus
 Cell bodies: in the SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS located
above & lateral to optic chiasm;
PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS at a higher level in
the lateral wall of 3rd ventricle
 HYPOTHALAMOHYPOPHYSEAL TRACT
 Formed from unmyelinated axons of
neurons in these nuclei w/c descends into,
and makes up bulk of, the substance of the
neural lobe of the pituitary
 Axons have numerous dilations (est. 450)
along their length & terminations w/ over
Encoded by: LA
2000 neurosecretory granules (60$ on the
axons, 40% in terminals)
 HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS
 Large cells w/ eccentric nucleus, abundant
cytpoplasm, few processes, ER that occurs
in arrays of parallel cisternae in perikaryon,
& prominent golgi w/c is assembly site of
neurosecretory granules
 Neurotubules & filaments converge forming
an axial bundle that courses down the axon
where neurosecretory granules are
continuously transported along to the
neural lobe of the pituitary at a rate of 4-
8mm/H
 HERRING BODIES- aggregations of small
neurosecretory granules found in dilations of the
axons throughout the neural lobe
 PITUICYTES
 Stellate cells w/ slender processes that are
joined to the processes of neighboring cells
of the same type to form a 3D network
among the axons of the hypothalamic
neurosecretory cells
 Processes are connected by gap junctions
 In humans, are highly variable in size &
shape
 Commonly contain lipid droplets & deposits
of lipochrome pigment
 Often intimately ensheath the terminal
dilations of the axons
 May have supportive & trophic function in
maintaining ioninc composition of ECF
compartment of neural lobe
 2 HORMONES Produced:
a. Oytocin (OT)
b. Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) or Antidiuretic
Hormone (ADH)
 3 REGIONS:
a. MEDIAN EMINENCE of the Tuber Cinereum
- Funnel-shaped, downward extension
of hypothalamus
b. INFUNDIBULAR STEM
- Continuous w/ infundibular process
c. INFUNDIBULAR PROCESS (Posterior Lobe)
- Forms the neural lobe of the
hypophysis
 HYPOPHYSIS Encoded by: LA
By: Dr. Frederic Asanza

BLOOD VESSELs

INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY

several SUP. HYPOHYSEAL ARTERIES

2 INF. HYPOPHYSEAL ARTERIES

Anastomose
Arborize in CAPSULE of the glands freely around MEDIAN EMINENCE

CAPILLARIES penetrate deep into median eminence forming PRIMARY PLEXUS

Sends few branches to ANT.
SendsLOBE
branches mainly to POST. LOBE

Returns to surface & becomes confluent w/ venules

OPHYSEOPORTAL SYSTEM (VENULES from PRIMARY PLEXUS to SECONDARY PLEXUS)

Downward course around hypophyseal stalk

Joins extensive network of thin-walled SINUSOIDS in ANT. LOBE called SECONDARY PLEXUS of SINUSOIDS

Veins that run in VASCULAR LAYER of CAPSULE

DIAPHRAGMA SELLAE

Neighboring DURAL SINUSES

HYPOPHYSIS Encoded by: LA
By: Dr. Frederic Asanza
CELL LOCATION HORMONE CHARACTERISTICS (Cell then Hormone) TARGET STIMULATED SUPPRESSED CLINICAL CORRELATE
SECRETED ORGAN BY BY
ANTERIOR PITUITARY (ADENOHYPOPHYSIS)
Somatotro Pars Distalis, Growth  Contains numerous, spherical granules No specific Growth Somatostatin  DWARFISM- GH secretion
phs or STH ACIDOPHIL Hormone (GH) or  Well-developed ER target but has hormone- deficiency; abn short stature
Cells Somatotrophin  MOST ABUNDANT cell type in ant. Pituitary generalized releasing  GIGANTISM- excess GH
effect hormone secretion form rare tumor of
 Mediated by Somatomedins w/c stimulate (GHRH) from pituitary; abn tall stature
proliferation of cartilage cells necessary for growth Hypothalamus  ACROMEGALY- from
in length of long bones pituitary tumor in adult life;
 Increases uptake of AAs, CHON synthesis, disproportionate thickening
mobilization of FAs from adipose & dec. glucose of bones
utilization
Mammotr Pars Distalis, Prolactin (PL)  Tend to be distributed individually Mammary Suckling the Lactogenic
ophs ACIDOPHIL  Relatively small cells w/ ovoid or polygonal shape Glands breast w/c effect
 In males & cycling females: few elongated cisternae stimulates suppressed by
of ER & juxtanuclear golgi of moderate size oxytocin w/c Estrogen &
 Lactation: organelles become highly developed stimulates PL Progesterone
 Pregnancy: ant. Pituitary undergoes 2-fold
enlargement d/t hypertrophy & hyperplasia of
mammotrophs
 Regresses to inactive state after pregnancy
 CRINOPHAGY- mode of disposal of secretory
products that are no longer needed

 Promotes mammary gland devpt during pregnancy

& subsequent lactation
 Rises from 5th wk of pregnancy until it reaches a
level 10x that of non pregnant women
Thyrotrop Pars Distalis, Thyroid-  Commonly located in anteromedial portion of ant. Thyroid Thyrotrophin- Negative
hs BASOPHIL Stimulating Lobe Follicles releasing feedback
Hormone (TSH)  Make up 15% of ant. Pituitary cells hormone from when TSH
or Thyrotrophin  Tend to be deeply situated in cords of parenchymal Hypothalamus serum levels
cells are high
 Secretory granules are the SMALLEST found in any
cell type of the gland

 A glycoCHON
 Binds to specific receptors on thyroid follicles to
stimulate release of T3 & T4 hormones
Corticotro Pars Disitalis, Adrenocorticotro  Widely distributed in anteromedial region of pars Adrenal Cortex Corticotrophin
phs BASOPHIL phin (ACTH) or distalis & few may invade a short distance into -releasing
Corticotrophin neural lobe hormone of
 Round / ovoid cells Hypothalamus
 Secretory granules generally smaller than
somatrophs & gonadotrophs
HYPOPHYSIS Encoded by: LA
By: Dr. Frederic Asanza
 A small peptide consisting of 39 AAs
 Binds to receptors on adrenal cortex cells to
stimulate release of cortisol hormone
Gonadotr Pars Distalis,  Follicle-  Rounded cells usually situated close to sinusoids Males: SERTOLI
ophs BASOPHIL stimulating  Prominent golgi; ER of meandering cisternae cells of Testis
hormone Females:
(FSH)  Both hormones are glycoCHONs Ovaries
 Luteinizing  Females: rising levels of FSH stimulate devpt of
hormone (LH) follicles for ovulation; after ovulation, for devpt of
or Interstitial corpus luteum
cell  Males: FSH major role is spermatogenesis
stimulating  LH promotes steroid prodxn of interstitial cells of
hormone ovary & testis
(ICSH)
Melanotro Pars Intermedia Melanocyte-  Large, polygonal epithelial cells rich in Melanocytes of  ADDISON’s DSE- increased
phs stimulating mitochondria & well developed ER, numerous skin pigmentation observed in
hormone (MSH) secretory granules humans suffering from
degeneration of adrenal
 Comes from POMC cortex is attributed to
 Induces synthesis of melanin in melanoma cells & excessive release of MSH &
may result in slight darkening of skin ACTH by pituitary
 Pregnancy: slight darkening
may result from enhanced
release of both hormones
POSTERIOR PITUITARY (NEUROHYPOPHYSIS)
Hypothala Supraoptic & Oxytocin (OT)  Synthesized as part of a large precursor molecule Myometrium of Suckling of
mic Paraventricular consisting of hormone & neurophysin (assoc. pregnant nipple by
neurons Nucleus CHON) uterus infant

 Concentraion inc. during late stages of labor

 Significant role in parturition
 Stimulate contraction of uterine smooth muscle
 Responsible for milk ejection “let-down reflex”
Hypothala Supraoptic & Adenine  Synthesized as part of a large precursor molecule Collecting ducts  Dehydration  Absence of hormone makes
mic Paraventricular Vasopressin or consisting of hormone & neurophysin (assoc. of kidney  Low BP or distal tubules relatively
neurons Nucleus Antidiuretic CHON) BV impermeable to H2O
Hormone (ADH)  DIABETES INSIPIDUS- condxn
 Binds to specific receptors on cells lining distal char. By polydipsia & polyuria
convoluted tubules & collecting ducts
 Activates a CHON kinase that inc. permeability to
H2O w/c dec. vol of urine & concentrating it
 Also involved in control of BP by acting on vascular
smooth muscle causing arteriolar constriction w/c
inc. peripheral resistance & BP