Brain, Meninges & CSF Anatomy
Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is a small hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain, sitting in the sella turcica.
In short: Pituitary gland
- It can be involved in transsphenoidal encephaloceles.
- It regulates many body hormones.
- It sits within the sphenoid bone's sella turcica.
- Hormonal evaluation may be part of care for basal types.
What it is
It is a small hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain, sitting in the sella turcica within the sphenoid bone. It regulates many of the body's hormones.
Understanding Pituitary gland
Basal encephaloceles in the sphenoid region — particularly transsphenoidal types — can involve the pituitary area, so hormonal evaluation may be part of care for those types. Because the pituitary controls many hormonal functions, any involvement is assessed carefully, sometimes with the help of an endocrine specialist.
Why it matters
Understanding the pituitary gland helps families see why some basal encephaloceles can affect hormones and why hormonal assessment may be included in the evaluation.
Common questions
What does the pituitary do?
Produces and regulates hormones.
Which encephaloceles involve it?
Transsphenoidal types.
Where does it sit?
In the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.
Bottom line
The pituitary gland is the skull-base hormone gland, relevant to transsphenoidal encephaloceles.
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