Endocrine System and Pituitary Gland

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about the endocrine system and pituitary gland.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones.

Pituitary Gland

Master control gland of most endocrine glands.

Sella Turcica

Bony depression where the pituitary gland is located.

Pituitary Stalk

Connects the pituitary gland to the base of the brain.

Anterior Lobe (Pars Distalis)

Highly vascular part of the pituitary gland, stains brightly acidophilic.

Pars Tuberalis

Part of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Pars Intermedia

Part of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Posterior Lobe (Pars Nervosa)

Whitish part of the pituitary gland, stains pale.

Infundibular Process

Part of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (pars nervosa).

Infundibular Stalk

Also known as the pituitary stalk, part of the posterior lobe.

Stroma

Supporting tissue of the pars distalis, includes capsule, trabeculae, and reticular fibers.

Parenchyma

Functional tissue of the pars distalis, consists of cords or clumps of cells.

Fenestrated Sinusoidal Capillaries

Extensive system of capillaries surrounding the cells of the pars distalis.

Chromophilic Cells

Cells of the pars distalis that have an affinity for dyes.

Acidophilic Cells

Type of chromophilic cell that stains well with eosin.

Basophilic Cells

Type of chromophilic cell that stains poorly with H&E.

Chromophobic Cells

Cells of the pars distalis that lack affinity to stains and are lightly stained.

Eosin

A stain that acidophilic cells stain well with.

H & E

A stain that basophilic cells stain poorly with.

Somatotrophs

Acidophilic cells that secrete growth hormone (somatotropin).

Mammotrophs

Acidophilic cells that secrete prolactin.

Prolactin

Hormone that initiates and promotes milk secretion.

Growth Hormone (Somatotropin)

Hormone that has a role in the growth of long bones.

Gigantism

Condition caused by tumors of somatotrophs before puberty.

Acromegaly

Condition caused by tumors of somatotrophs after puberty.

Dwarfism

Condition caused by impaired function of somatotrophs.

PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff)

A stain that basophilic cells stain well with, due to their granules being glycoprotein in nature.

Thyrotrophs

Basophilic cells that secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone that controls the functions of the thyroid gland.

Corticotrophs

Basophilic cells that synthesize a pro-hormone which produces ACTH.

ACTH

Hormone that controls the function of the suprarenal cortex.

Gonadotrophs

Basophilic cells that secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone that stimulates follicle development in the ovary and spermatogenesis in males.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Hormone that stimulates interstitial cell.

Chromophobic Cells

Cells that lack affinity to stains and are considered a reserve population.

Pituicytes

Irregularly branched cells in the pars nervosa that act as neuroglia cells.

Nerve Fibers

Unmyelinated axons of neurosecretory neurons in the hypothalamus.

Neurosecretory Granules

Contained in the axon endings of nerve fibers in the pars nervosa.

Herring Bodies

Irregular masses of basophilic hyaline material in the pars nervosa, formed by accumulation of neurosecretion.

Pars Nervosa Function

Reservoir for neurosecretion formed by hypothalamic neurons.

Oxytocin

Causes contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus and ejection of milk.

Vasopressin

Antidiuretic hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidney.

Diabetes Insipidus

Condition resulting from destruction of the pituitary stalk or pars nervosa.