Pituitary stalk

Brain: Pituitary stalk
Pituitary stalk not labeled, but is the vertical blue portion.
Basal view of a human brain (Infundibulum labeled third from the top on right)
Latin	infundibulum neurohypophyseos
Gray's	subject #189 813
NeuroNames	hier-388
MeSH	Pituitary+Stalk

Also see infundibulum for other uses of the term.

The pituitary stalk (also known as the infundibular stalk or simply the infundibulum) is the connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary.

It carries axons from the magnocellular neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus down to the posterior pituitary where they release their hormones into the blood.

This connection is called the hypothalamohypophyseal tract, and is responsible for the release of oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone.

Additional images

The sinuses at the base of the skull.	Median sagittal section of brain. The relations of the pia mater are indicated by the red color.	Drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities, viewed from the side.	The hypophysis cerebri in position. Shown in sagittal section.
Vertical sections of the heads of early embryos of the rabbit. Magnified.	Human brainstem anterior view

External links

• Pituitary+stalk at eMedicine Dictionary

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