Subdivisions of the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland hypophysis is divided into the anterior pituitary, or adenohypophysis, and the posterior pituitary, or neurohypophysis. The anterior pituitary is subdivided further into the pars distalis, pars intermedia, (only in the fetus) and pars tuberalis. The posterior pituitary consists of the enlarged distal end of the infundibulum, which connects the posterior pituitary to the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland, (or hypophysis; meaning "an undergrowth"), secretes nine major hormones that regulate numerous body functions and the secretory activity of several other endocrine glands.