Pituitary gland (hypophysis) -- known as the Master Gland because of the hormonal control it exerts on many other glands

Study the diagram of the pituitary gland (Fig. 20-2) noting the relationship among the anterior and posterior parts, the vascular supply, and the hypothalamus of the brain.

What does the pituitary portal system transport that makes it important functionally?

Examine a section of pituitary (slide 128, 103) and identify the anterior pituitary, the posterior pituitary, and the intervening pars intermedia with cysts representing remnants of Rathke's pouch (Figs. 20-4 and 20-9). The latter structure may be better seen on slide 122. The pars intermedia is poorly developed in humans. Note the abundance of large capillaries among the clumped, epithelial cells in the anterior pituitary.

How do the two major parts of the pituitary gland form in the embryo?

Slide 74 shows a section of pituitary gland prepared with a special trichrome stain that demonstrates the different staining properties of the secretory cells in the anterior pituitary. Identify acidophils, basophils, and chromophobes (Fig. 20-6).

Indicate 5 hormones secreted by cells of the anterior pituitary and explain a technique by which the cells secreting each of the hormones could be located?

Examine the ultrastructural features of acidophils and basophils in Fig. 20-7.

How do these endocrine cells differ ultrastructurally from typical cells responsible for exocrine secretion?

Posterior pituitary