a-short-review-of-histology

The Pituitary Gland - Development:

The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, lies in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
It is almost completely enclosed within a dense connective sheath which is part of the dura mater around the brain
In the superior aspect of the pituitary gland, the dura mater that roofs over the gland is incomplete and through the gap there passes the neural stalk which makes an attachment with the hypothalamus of the brain
In development, the pituitary gland arises from two sources
Part of the gland, the anterior pituitary, arises from an upgrowth of the epithelium lining the roof of the mouth
This joins with a down growth of neural tissue from the brain
When the two parts meet, they become enclosed within a connective tissue capsule and the connection with the roof of the mouth is lost
The connection with the brain (hypothalamus) is retained as an important structural and functional connection

Diagram of Pituitary Gland Development: