| Posterior pituitary | |
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| Pituitary gland. Posterior pituitary is in blue. Pars nervosa and infundibular stalk are not labeled, but pars nervosa is at bottom and infundibular stalk is at top.) | |
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| Median sagittal through the hypophysis of an adult monkey. (Posterior lobe labeled at bottom right.) | |
| Latin | Pars nervosa glandula pituitaria, pars nervosa hypophyseos, lobus posterior hypophyseos |
| Gray's | subject #275 1275 |
| Artery | inferior hypophyseal artery |
| Vein | hypophyseal vein |
| Precursor | Neural tube (downward-growth of the diencephalon)[1] |
| MeSH | Pituitary+Gland,+Posterior |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | Posterior pituitary hormones |
The posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis) comprises the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is part of the endocrine system. Despite its name, the posterior pituitary gland is not a gland, per se; rather, it is largely a collection of axonal projections from the hypothalamus that terminate behind the anterior pituitary gland. It is where neurohypophysial hormones are stored and released.
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Anatomy [edit]
The posterior pituitary consists mainly of neuronal projections (axons) of magnocellular neurosecretory cells extending from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. These axons store and release neurohypophysial hormones oxytocin and vasopressin into the neurohypohyseal capillaries, from there they get into the systemic circulation (and partly back to the hypophyseal portal system). In addition to axons, the posterior pituitary also contains pituicytes, specialized glial cells resembling astrocytes assisting in the storage and release of the hormones.[2]
Classification of the posterior pituitary varies, but most sources include the two regions below:
- Pars nervosa
- Also called the neural lobe or posterior lobe, this region constitutes the majority of the posterior pituitary and is the storage site of oxytocin and vasopressin. Sometimes (incorrectly) considered synonymous with the posterior pituitary, the pars nervosa includes Herring bodies and pituicytes.[3]
- Infundibular stalk
- Also known as the infundibulum or pituitary stalk, the infundibular stalk bridges the hypothalamic and hypophyseal systems.
The median eminence is only occasionally included as part of the posterior pituitary. Other sources specifically exclude it from the pituitary.[4]
A few sources include the pars intermedia as part of the posterior lobe, but this is a minority view. It is based upon the gross anatomical separation of the posterior and anterior pituitary along the cystic remnants of Rathke's pouch, causing the pars intermedia to remain attached to the neurohypophysis.
Hormones secreted [edit]
Hormones known classically as posterior pituitary hormones are synthesized by the hypothalamus. They are then stored in neurosecretory vesicles regrouped into Herring bodies before being secreted by the posterior pituitary into the bloodstream.
| Hormone | Other names | Symbol(s) | Main targets | Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Pitocin (trade name) | OT | Uterus, mammary glands | Uterine contractions; lactation | supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei |
| Vasopressin | Antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin, argipressin | VP, AVP, ADH | Kidneys or Arterioles | Stimulates water retention; raises blood pressure by contracting arterioles, induces male aggression | supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei |
Role in disease [edit]
Insufficient secretion of vasopressin underlies diabetes insipidus, a condition in which the body loses the capacity to concentrate urine. Affected individuals excrete as much as 20 liters of dilute urine per day. Oversecretion of vasopressin causes the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Embryology at unc.edu
- ^ Hatton, GI (1988 Sep). "Pituicytes, glia and control of terminal secretion.". The Journal of experimental biology 139: 67–79. PMID 3062122.
- ^ BU Histology Learning System: 14004loa
- ^ Median eminence at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Additional images [edit]
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The posterior pituitary comprises the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
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Hypothalamic nuclei
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