DEVELOPMENT OF THE

PITUITARY GLAND

Tutorial B1
Angkatan 2014
Blok EMS
 INTRODUCTION
Lobes:
-anterior lobe
-posterior lobe

Anterior lobe :
Outpocketing of ectodermal of Rathkes pouch

Posterior lobe :
Downward extension of the diencephalon
 Possible congenital anomalies
Ectopic posterior pituitary

Pharyngeal hypophysis

Agenesis/Hypogenesis of pituitary gland

Duplication of pituitary gland

Congenital tumor of the gland

(Craniopharyngioma)
 1) Ectopic posterior pituitary
An absent normal posterior pituitary bright
spot within the sella with ectopic bright signal at
another site (such as the median eminence) on
a weighted magnetic resonance

Development:
Incomplete caudal extension of the
diencephalon during embryogenesis
Effect:
Pituitary dwarfism
Lack of growth hormone
 2) Pharyngeal hypophysis
Development:
-A remnant of the stalk of the hypophysial
diverticulum in the roof of the oropharynx

Pharyngeal
hypophysis
 3) Agenesis/
Hypogenesis of pituitary gland
Development:
Effect:

Absence of the gland is incompatible with life,

i.e. it leads to death of the infant

Hypogenesis of pituitary gland: It leads to

panhypopituitarism
 4) Duplication of pituitary gland
Development:
-Fewer than 40 cases since 1880
-A rare craniofacial developmental anomaly
occurring during blastogenesis.
 5) Congenital tumor of the gland
(Craniopharyngioma)
Development:
A tumor arises from a remnant of Rathke's
pouch. *
Effect:

Increasing the intracranial pressure;

hydrocephalus

Disrupting the function of the pituitary gland

Damaging the optic nerve