Which bone is NOT considered to be part of the cranium? The lacrimal bone is a tiny bone found in the medial portion of the orbit. It is a facial bone, not part of the cranium.

Skull, Facial, Sinus

The pituitary (hypophyseal) fossa or sella turcica is a midline, dural lined structure in the sphenoid bone, which houses the pituitary gland.

sphenoid bone

Pituitary Gland and Pituitary Tumors. The pituitary is a small gland attached to the base of the brain (behind the nose) in an area called the pituitary fossa or sella turcica. The pituitary is often called the “master gland” because it controls the secretion of most of the hormones in the body.

The pituitary gland is a part of your endocrine system. Its main function is to secrete hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones can affect other organs and glands, especially your: thyroid.

The pituitary gland is sometimes called the “master” gland of the endocrine system because it controls the functions of many of the other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the brain.

The pituitary gland has two main parts, the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland. The gland is attached to a part of the brain (the hypothalamus) that controls its activity. The anterior pituitary gland is connected to the brain by short blood vessels.

The major hormones produced by the pituitary gland are:

• ACTH: Adrenocorticotrophic hormone.
• FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone.
• LH: Luteinizing hormone.
• GH: Growth hormone.
• PRL: Prolactin.
• TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Hypopituitarism is an underactive pituitary gland that results in deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones. Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on what hormone is deficient and may include short height, infertility, intolerance to cold, fatigue, and an inability to produce breast milk.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) of your brain can detect a pituitary tumor or other pituitary gland problems. Vision tests. These tests can determine if growth of a pituitary tumor has impaired your sight or visual fields.

Any person with a pituitary tumor should be seen by an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in problems with glands and the endocrine system. In addition, patients should be examined by a neurosurgeon, a specialist who operates on the head, brain, and central nervous system.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan They can show macroadenomas of the pituitary gland, as well as most microadenomas.

An MRI produces good soft-tissue images and allows the physician to evaluate different types of body tissue, as well as distinguish normal, healthy tissue from diseased tissue. Our team of specialist physicians will use these images to make a detailed study of your pituitary gland and to find possible problems.

Testing frequently includes measurements of both the hormones that the pituitary produces, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and the hormones of other endocrine glands that the pituitary stimulates, such as the thyroid gland hormone T4 (thyroxine).

Diagnosis and Treatment Many people with a pituitary disorder may go undiagnosed and untreated for as long as 15 to 20 years due to the varying and disparate symptoms among patients and slow onset of these symptoms.

Pituitary disorders and pituitary tumors are deemed disabling conditions under Section 9.00 – Endocrine Disorders. It states that if any individual suffers from hormone production disruption, which affects the normal functioning of the other endocrine glands then such an individual qualifies for benefits.

How is pituitary cancer diagnosed? MRI or CT scans can detect tumors in the pituitary gland. And blood and urine tests can determine hormone levels. Even under a microscope, it’s difficult to recognize the difference between a cancerous and a noncancerous pituitary tumor.

Thyrotropin-producing pituitary tumors can cause palpitations, tremor, weight loss, and insomnia.