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Related Concept Videos

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

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The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
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Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

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The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
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The pituitary is a small endocrine organ in the sphenoid bone under the hypothalamus. Primarily, the pituitary in adults has two distinct anatomical and functional regions— the anterior and posterior lobes. During human fetal development, a third pituitary gland region called the pars intermedia atrophies and disappears. However, some of its cells migrate and exist adjacent to the anterior pituitary in adults.
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Endocrine Signaling01:45

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Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology
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[Ectopia of the pituitary].

W Saeger1

  • 1Institut für Neuropathologie, UKE, Universität Hamburg, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland. w.saeger@uke.de.

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|August 19, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ectopic pituitary tissue, including adenomas, can occur outside the main gland and mimic normal pituitary function. These rare findings, like ectopic neurohypophysis or salivary glands, are important for understanding pituitary development and pathology.

Keywords:
AdenomaAnterior pituitary glandChoristomaPituitary neoplasmsPosterior pituitary gland

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pathology

Background:

  • The pituitary gland comprises the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis, with normal anatomical variations.
  • Ectopic pituitary tissue can arise in locations such as the pituitary stalk, pharynx, sphenoid sinus, and cavernous sinus.
  • While rare, ectopic tissues like ganglionic cells or adrenocortical tissue have been observed within the pituitary.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the occurrence and characteristics of ectopic pituitary tissue.
  • To differentiate true ectopia from metaplasia in the pituitary gland.
  • To highlight the clinical and pathological significance of ectopic pituitary tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies reporting ectopic pituitary tissue.
  • Histopathological analysis of pituitary tissue samples.
  • Review of pituitary malformation syndromes.

Main Results:

  • Ectopic pituitary adenomas can develop near extrasellar pituitary tissue and are functionally and structurally similar to intrasellar adenomas.
  • The neurohypophysis can exhibit dystopias, notably in pituitary stalk interruption syndrome where it's found at the hypothalamic eminentia mediana.
  • Focal squamous epithelia in the anterior pituitary are typically metaplastic, whereas ectopic salivary gland tissue is occasionally found in the intermediate zone.

Conclusions:

  • Ectopic pituitary tissues, though rare, can occur in various locations and present similarly to orthotopic pituitary tumors.
  • Understanding these ectopic findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of pituitary disorders.
  • Distinguishing true ectopia from metaplasia is essential for correct pathological interpretation.