| Pituicyte | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Location | Posterior pituitary |
| Function | Glial cell |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | pituicytus |
| NeuroLex ID | sao1004082033 |
| TH | H3.08.02.2.00040 |
| FMA | 83503 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Pituicytes areglial cells of theposterior pituitary. Their main role is to assist in the storage and release ofneurohypophysial hormones.[1]
Pituicytes are located in the pars nervosa of the posterior pituitary and interspersed with unmyelinatedaxons andHerring bodies. They generally stain dark purple with anH&E stain and are among the easiest structures to identify in the region.[2][3] Pituicytes have an irregular and branched shape which resembles that of another type of glial cell: theastrocyte.[4] Like astrocytes, their cytoplasm presents specificintermediate filaments made up ofglial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).[5]
Pituicytes are similar to astrocytes, another type of glial cell. Their main role is to assist in the storage and release ofhormones of the posterior pituitary. Pituicytes surround axonal endings and regulate hormone secretion by releasing their processes from these endings.[1]
Pituicytomas are rare tumors that arise from pituicytes. They may be mistaken for the much more commonpituitary adenoma, as well ascraniopharyngioma andmeningioma. Symptoms from themass effect of the tumor usually include vision disorders, and less often headaches,hypopituitarism (decreased function of the pituitary gland), fatigue, and decreased libido.[6]
List of distinct cell types in the adult human body
