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Pituitary
This image is a low magnification, midsagittal section of a human pituitary stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Note the distinct boundaries between the neurohypophyseal and adenohypophyseal tissues, indicating the different embryological origins of these subdivisions. 5x
![Subdivisions > <p>The terms neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis reflect the embryonic origin of these two subdivisions. Similar terms, posterior and anterior pituitary, are also commonly used for these subdivisions, reflecting their anatomical position.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-1-ping.png)
Subdivisions >
The terms neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis reflect the embryonic origin of these two subdivisions. Similar terms, posterior and anterior pituitary, are also commonly used for these subdivisions, reflecting their anatomical position.
![Neurohypophysis > <p>The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-1A-ping.png)
Neurohypophysis >
The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).
![- Pars nervosa <p>The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-7-ping.png)
- Pars nervosa
The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).
![- Infundibulum <p>The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-6-ping.png)
- Infundibulum
The neurohypophysis is derived from nervous tissue as a downgrowth from the hypothalamus of the brain and consists of the pars nervosa, the infundibulum and its continuation, the median eminence (not visible).
![Adenohypophysis > <p>The adenohypophysis is derived from the epithelium that lines the roof of the developing oral cavity and consists of the pars distalis, pars tuberalis and pars intermedia.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-1B-ping.png)
Adenohypophysis >
The adenohypophysis is derived from the epithelium that lines the roof of the developing oral cavity and consists of the pars distalis, pars tuberalis and pars intermedia.
![- Pars distalis <p>The adenohypophysis is derived from the epithelium that lines the roof of the developing oral cavity and consists of the pars distalis, pars tuberalis and pars intermedia.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-2-ping.png)
- Pars distalis
The adenohypophysis is derived from the epithelium that lines the roof of the developing oral cavity and consists of the pars distalis, pars tuberalis and pars intermedia.
![- Pars tuberalis > <p>The pars tuberalis forms a sleeve that surrounds the infundibulum.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-3-ping.png)
- Pars tuberalis >
The pars tuberalis forms a sleeve that surrounds the infundibulum.
![- Pars intermedia > <p>The pars intermedia is located at the interface of the pars distalis and pars nervosa and its cells often migrate into the pars distalis.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-4-ping.png)
- Pars intermedia >
The pars intermedia is located at the interface of the pars distalis and pars nervosa and its cells often migrate into the pars distalis.
![- Rathke's pouch remnants > <p>The adenohypophysis originates from the oral ectoderm of the embryo as a sac-shaped structure termed Rathke’s pouch. Remnants of this pouch, typically filled with protein (colloid), are visible in the adult. </p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-5-ping.png)
- Rathke's pouch remnants >
The adenohypophysis originates from the oral ectoderm of the embryo as a sac-shaped structure termed Rathke’s pouch. Remnants of this pouch, typically filled with protein (colloid), are visible in the adult.
![Capsule > <p>The entire pituitary is surrounded by a dense connective tissue capsule that is continuous with the dura mater. Only a portion of the capsule is retained in this section.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-8-ping.png)
Capsule >
The entire pituitary is surrounded by a dense connective tissue capsule that is continuous with the dura mater. Only a portion of the capsule is retained in this section.
![Section plane of next image > <p>The section plane of the next image is indicated by the horizonal line.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Or.Endo_.Pit-2A-9-ping.png)
Section plane of next image >
The section plane of the next image is indicated by the horizonal line.
![Image source > <p>This image was taken of slide in the Oklahoma State University slide collection.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/OK-State-University.png)
Image source >
This image was taken of slide in the Oklahoma State University slide collection.