Rathke's pouch

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Embryological structure involved in the development of the pituitary gland

Anatomy

Rathke's pouch is an embryological structure that plays a crucial role in the development of the pituitary gland. It is a small, ectodermal diverticulum that arises from the roof of the developing mouth in the early embryo. This pouch grows dorsally towards the brain, eventually giving rise to the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis).

Development

Rathke's pouch forms during the fourth week of embryogenesis. It originates from the stomodeal ectoderm, which is the primitive oral cavity. As the pouch extends towards the brain, it comes into contact with the infundibulum, a downward extension of the diencephalon. The interaction between Rathke's pouch and the infundibulum is essential for the proper formation of the pituitary gland.

The anterior wall of Rathke's pouch proliferates to form the anterior pituitary, while the posterior wall contributes to the formation of the pars intermedia. The lumen of Rathke's pouch typically obliterates, but remnants can persist as small cysts.

Clinical Significance

Abnormal development of Rathke's pouch can lead to various congenital anomalies of the pituitary gland. One such condition is Rathke's cleft cyst, a benign cyst that can form from remnants of Rathke's pouch. These cysts are usually asymptomatic but can sometimes cause symptoms by compressing surrounding structures.

Related Pages

• Pituitary gland
• Anterior pituitary
• Embryogenesis
• Infundibulum
• Rathke's cleft cyst