Pars tuberalis

Pars tuberalis is a part of the anterior pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis. It is a small, thin layer that wraps around the median eminence of the hypothalamus. The pars tuberalis is primarily involved in the regulation of seasonal changes in animals, and its function in humans is still not fully understood.

Etymology

The term "pars tuberalis" is derived from Latin, where "pars" means part and "tuberalis" refers to a tuber or swelling. This is in reference to the tuber cinereum, a part of the hypothalamus that the pars tuberalis wraps around.

Anatomy

The pars tuberalis is a part of the anterior pituitary gland, which itself is a part of the endocrine system. It is a thin layer that wraps around the median eminence of the hypothalamus. The pars tuberalis is located at the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus and adjacent to the pituitary stalk, which connects the hypothalamus to the rest of the pituitary gland.

Function

The primary function of the pars tuberalis is to regulate seasonal changes in animals. It does this by responding to changes in day length, or photoperiod, which it senses through the release of the hormone melatonin by the pineal gland. In response to changes in melatonin levels, the pars tuberalis can alter the secretion of other hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), to trigger seasonal changes in behavior and physiology.

In humans, the function of the pars tuberalis is less clear. Some research suggests that it may play a role in the regulation of the body's circadian rhythms, but more research is needed to fully understand its function.

Related Terms

• Anterior pituitary
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary stalk
• Melatonin
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• Pineal gland

Pars tuberalis Resources
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