Volume and Histology of the Human Pharyngeal Hypophysis

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Abstract
The pharyngeal hypophysis and the pars distalis of the hypophysis cerebri were examined in each of 52 cadavers of a mean age of 75 years. Comparative studies were made of volume and histology. The pharyngeal hypophysis was found to be of appreciable volume and to represent up to 0.5% of the total adenohypophysial tissue in the cadaver. The pars distalis in the female was significantly larger than that in the male, but no significant sex difference in size was noted in the pharyngeal hypophysis. In the majority of subjects, the histological appearance of the pharyngeal hypophysis closely resembled that of the pars distalis. The findings of this investigation demonstrate that, on the basis of size and cytology, the pharyngeal hypophysis is of functional significance in the presence of an aged, normal pars distalis. The suggestion is made that the functional significance of the pharyngeal hypophysis may increase with age, particularly in the male.