1. Structure and function of the posterior pituitary gland and pituitary adenomas. A. Posterior pituitary hormones and target organs affected by each hormone. Hormones are produced in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and are transported via the hypothalamohypophyseal tract to the pars nervosa, where they are stored and released. ADH, antidiuretic hormone. B. Section of the pars nervosa. The pars nervosa consists of the axons and nerve terminals of hormone-producing cells, as well as glia cells, called pituicytes. Cell bodies of the neurosecretory cells reside in the hypothalamus. C. Section of a pituitary adenoma immunostained for prolactin. The inset shows a section of normal pituitary at the same magnification, also stained for prolactin. Note that almost all cells in the adenoma produce prolactin (brown stain). Sections courtesy of Amy Lowichik, MD, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah. D. Pituitary adenoma impinging on the optic nerve. Benign pituitary tumors in this location can result in difficulties with vision.
Source: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, The Big Picture: Histology
Citation: Ash R, Morton DA, Scott SA. The Big Picture: Histology; 2017 Available at: Accessed: October 05, 2017
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