Derived from embryologic remnants of Rathke's pouch and its craniopharyngeal duct, the pharyngeal hypophysis has long been considered to be present in all humans. This thesis has been recently challenged, but the weight of investigative evidence still favors the original premise. The pharyngeal hypophysis is just one product of Rathke's pouch. Others are extracranial pituitary tumors, the very rare craniopharyngioma, pharyngeal hypopharyngeal cysts, and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
KjaerIFischer-HansenB. The adenohypophysis and the cranial base in early human development. J Craniofac Genet Dev Biol1995; 15: 157–61.
2.
LewinRRuffoloESaracenoC. Craniopharyngioma arising in the pharyngeal hypophysis. South Med J1984; 77: 1519–23.
3.
HerzogJMakekMFischU. Lesions of Rathke's duct: Another indication for the infratemporal fossa approach. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1989; 101: 302–8.
4.
McGrathP. Volume and histology of the human pharyngeal hypophysis. Aust NZ J Surg1967; 37: 16–27.
5.
McGrathP. The volume of the human pharyngeal hypophysis in relation to age and sex. J Anat1971; 110: 275–82.
6.
McGrathP. Cysts of sellar and pharyngeal hypophyses. Pathology1971; 3: 123–31.
7.
McGrathP. Aspects of the human pharyngeal hypophysis in normal and anencephalic fetuses and neonates and their possible significance in the mechanism of its control. J Anat1978; 127: 65–81.
8.
RichardsSHEvansITG. The pharyngeal hypophysis and its surgical significance. J Laryngol Otol1974; 88: 937–46.
9.
KjaerIRussellBG. The craniopharyngeal canal indicating the presence of pharyngeal adenopituitary tissue. Eur J Radiol1995; 20: 212–4.
10.
LangfordLBatsakisJG. Pituitary gland involvement of the sinonasal tract. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1995; 104: 167–9.
11.
RottenbergGT. Chong WK, Powell M, Kendall BE. Cyst formation of the craniopharyngeal duct. Clin Radiol1994; 49: 126–9.
