Diagnostic Imaging of the Pituitary and Parasellar Region

Pituitary (hypophysis), the secreting gland located in the sella turcica, has fascinated the scientists since ages. In 1543 the Belgian scientist Andreas Vesalius described the anatomy of pituitary gland for the first time. He believed that pituitary produces mucus, which is secreted from the brain into the nasal cavity. This is why pituitary was called the mucous gland (glandula pituitaria; pituita = mucus). Pituitary gland, also called as „master gland” plays the special role in the body. There are plenty of pathological changes with different clinical and radiological appearances of lesions located in sellar and parasellar region. The knowledge of pituitary anatomy and function, as well as of the characteristic changes in size and shape of the pituitary throughout the life and special physiologic conditions, is mandatory for the correct diagnosis and therefore these factors have to be taken into account before assessing pituitary abnormalities.