The pars tuberalis is part of the
anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and wraps the
pituitary stalk
The pituitary stalk (also known as the infundibular stalk, Fenderson's funnel, or simply the infundibulum) is the connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary. The floor of the third ventricle is prolonged downward as a funnel- ...
in a highly vascularized sheath.
Histology
Principal cells of the pars tuberalis are low columnar in form, with the cytoplasm containing numerous lipid droplets, glycogen granules, and occasional colloid droplets. A sparse population of functional gonadotrophs are present (indicated by immunoreactivity for
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; also adrenocorticotropin, corticotropin) is a polypeptide tropic hormone produced by and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It is also used as a medication and diagnostic agent. ACTH is an important co ...
,
FSH, and
LH).
[Ross, Michael. Histology: A Text and Atlas. 5th ed., 2006. pp 695]
References
It is an extension of the pars distalis up and around infundibulum.
External links
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Slide at pitt.edu
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Endocrine system