Pituitary gland

Definition Small endocrine gland situated in relation to the base of the brain Location Lies in hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone below the hypothalamus which is attached by a stalk Shape , weight pea shaped, 500mg

Relation
Superiorly optic chiasma Inferiorly sphenoidal air sinuses On each side cavernous sinuses

Internal features
Acidophil Basophil Chromophobic cell

Parts
The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) upgrowth epithelium from the pharynx and the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) is a downgrowth of nervous tissue from the brain. Between these lobes there is a thin strip of tissue called the intermediate lobe and its function melanocyte

 Arterial supply internal carotid artery branches Venous supply dural venous sinuses

Hormones anterior pituitory

Growth hormone (GH) Regulates metabolism, promotes tissue growth especially of bones and muscles Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Stimulates growth and activity of thyroid gland and secretion of T3 and T4 Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) Stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids Prolactin (PRL) Stimulates milk production in the breasts Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Stimulates production of sperm in the testes, stimulates secretion of oestrogen by the ovaries, maturation of ovarian follicles, ovulation Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates secretion of testosterone by the testes, stimulates secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum

Posterior pituitory
Oxytocin Stimulates more forceful uterine contractions milk ejection Antidiuretic hormone to reduce urine output Applied anatomyDiabetes insipidus no control of urine Pituitary tumors compresses optic chiasma blindness

Thyroid gland
Introduction Endocrine gland situated in the lower part of the front and side of the neck External features Consists of right lobe and left lobe joined to each other by isthmus Third lobe is called pyramidal lobe

Thyroid gland
Situation and extent The thyroid gland is situated in the neck in front of the larynx and trachea at the level of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebrae. Dimension and weight weighs about 25 g Each lobe 5*2.5*2.5 cm Shape conical in shape Covered by true and false capsule

Relations - lobe
Each lobe conical in shape Apex related to thyroid cartilage Base tracheal ring Three surfaces lateral hyoid muscles Medial- trachea and oesophagus Posterolateral common carotid artery Two borders- anterior- thyroid artery and posterior- inferior thyroid artery

Relations - isthmus
Two surfaces Anterior surfaces- hyoid muscles , skin Posterior surfaces- trachea Two borders Anastmosis of arteries

Blood supply
The arterial blood supply to the gland is through the superior and inferior thyroid arteries The venous return is by the thyroid veins

Histology and function

Follicular cells secrete triiodothyronin and tetra iodothyronin Stimulate basal metabolic rate , somatic growth, psychic growth of the individual Para follicular cells - calcitoinin Deposition of calcium in bones, produce hypocalcemia Hypo cretinism (infants), myxoodema(adults)

Para thyroid glands

There are four small parathyroid glands, two embedded in the posterior surface of each lobe of the thyroid gland Function The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone PTH, parathormone increase the blood calcium level when it is low Hypoparathyroidism - tetany

Supra renal gland

Introduction Pair of endocrine gland on posterior abdominal wall and upper pole on kidneys Location-Epigastrium Size, weight-50 * 30* 10 mm, 5 g Shape Right triangular pyramidal Left semilunar

Relations - right
Apex liver Base kidney Anterior surface- IVC Posterior surface- diaphragm Ant border- hilum of kidney Medial border-sympathetic system Lateral border- liver

Relations - left
Upper end spleen Lower end hilum Anterior surface stomach, pancreas Posterior surface kidney, diaphragm Medial border sym ganglion Lateral border - stomach

composition
The glands are composed of two parts which have different structures and functions. The outer part is the cortex and the inner part the medulla.

Adrenal cortex
Zona glomerulosa mineralocorticoids- aldosterone, Reabsorption of sodium Water and electrolyte balance Zona fasiculata Glucocorticoids- cortisol Formation of glucose, lipolysis , protein break down Zona reticulata sex hormones androgens

Adrenal medulla chromaffin cells

produce the hormones adrenaline and nor adrenaline increasing heart rate increasing blood pressure diverting blood to essential organs including the heart, brain and skeletal muscles by dilating their blood vessels and constricting those of less essential organs, such as the skin increasing metabolic rate dilating the pupils

 The arterial supply branches from the abdominal aorta and renal arteries. The venous return is by suprarenal veins Addison hypo Cushing - hyper

Pancreatic islets of langerhans

clusters irregularly distributed throughout the substance of the pancreas alpha cells that secrete glucagon beta cells that secrete insulin Delta cells that secrete somatostatin glucagon increases blood glucose levels insulin reduces blood glucose levels.