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The adenohypophysis and the cranial base in early human development
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
This study charts normal human pituitary gland development and cranial base formation in fetuses. It found no evidence of adenohypophyseal tissue in the pharynx during development.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Developmental Biology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- The pituitary gland and cranial base are crucial for human development.
- Understanding their normal development is essential for diagnosing craniofacial malformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the normal development of the human adenohypophysis and cranial base.
- To investigate the presence of pharyngeal remnants of adenohypophyseal tissue.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of 31 human embryos and fetuses (7-21 weeks gestation).
- Analysis of midsagittal tissue blocks including the cranial base, pituitary gland, and pharyngeal wall.
- Immunohistochemical methods for adenohypophyseal tissue identification.
Main Results:
- Adenohypophyseal tissue was identified in the pituitary gland during early developmental stages.
- Pharyngeal adenohypophyseal tissue was not observed after these early stages.
- The cartilaginous cranial base developed fully before ossification, with no cranio-pharyngeal canals identified.
Conclusions:
- Establishes a standard for pituitary gland region descriptions in craniofacial malformations.
- Normal development does not involve persistent pharyngeal adenohypophyseal tissue.
- Provides a baseline for comparative studies in developmental abnormalities.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study is to chart the normal human development of the adenohypophyseal part of the pituitary gland and of the cranial base, with special attention given to the possible presence of pharyngeal remnants of adenohypophyseal tissue. From 31 human embryos and fetuses (7-21 weeks of gestation) midsagittal, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of the cranial base, including the pituitary gland and the pharyngeal wall, were investigated histologically. The identification of adenohypophyseal tissue included immunohistochemical methods. In early stages, the adenohypophysis of the pituitary gland. From this stage in development adenohypophyseal tissue is not demonstrated pharyngeally. The cartilaginous cranial base is visible in its full antero-posterior extent before ossification starts. Cranio-pharyngeal canals are not registered in the cranial base. This study intends to define a standard for subsequent autopsy descriptions of the pituitary gland region in craniofacial malformations.