1. What is the approximate size of the pituitary gland in an adult human?
A) About the size of a pea
B) About the size of a walnut
C) About the size of a golf ball
D) About the size of a tennis ball
Answer: A) About the size of a pea
Explanation: The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain.
2. Which bone houses the sella turcica, the depression where the pituitary gland resides?
A) Frontal bone
B) Sphenoid bone
C) Temporal bone
D) Occipital bone
Answer: B) Sphenoid bone
Explanation: The sella turcica is a saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland.
3. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the “master gland” because:
A) It is the largest gland in the body
B) It regulates the activity of most other endocrine glands
C) It has the highest hormone output
D) It controls the autonomic nervous system
Answer: B) It regulates the activity of most other endocrine glands
Explanation: The pituitary gland secretes hormones that control the functions of other endocrine glands, hence the term “master gland.”
4. The anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland are derived from which embryonic tissues, respectively?
A) Ectoderm and mesoderm
B) Mesoderm and endoderm
C) Ectoderm and neuroectoderm
D) Endoderm and ectoderm
Answer: C) Ectoderm and neuroectoderm
Explanation: The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) originates from ectodermal tissue of the oral cavity (Rathke’s pouch), while the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) develops from neuroectodermal tissue of the diencephalon.
5. Which part of the pituitary gland is directly connected to the hypothalamus?
A) Anterior lobe
B) Posterior lobe
C) Intermediate lobe
D) Both anterior and posterior lobes
Answer: B) Posterior lobe
Explanation: The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) is directly connected to the hypothalamus via the infundibulum and stores hormones produced by hypothalamic neurons.
6. What is another name for the posterior pituitary gland?
A) Adenohypophysis
B) Neurohypophysis
C) Pars distalis
D) Pars intermedia
Answer: B) Neurohypophysis
Explanation: The posterior pituitary is also known as the neurohypophysis because it is composed of neural tissue.
7. The pituitary gland is divided into how many parts?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Answer: B) Three
Explanation: The pituitary gland consists of three parts: the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis), and the intermediate lobe (pars intermedia).
8. Which structure forms the roof of the sella turcica, covering the pituitary gland?
A) Diaphragma sellae
B) Tentorium cerebelli
C) Falx cerebri
D) Cavernous sinus
Answer: A) Diaphragma sellae
Explanation: The diaphragma sellae is a dural fold that forms the roof over the sella turcica, with an opening for the infundibulum.
9. The pituitary gland is located in close proximity to which cranial nerve?
A) Optic nerve (CN II)
B) Olfactory nerve (CN I)
C) Facial nerve (CN VII)
D) Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
Answer: A) Optic nerve (CN II)
Explanation: The pituitary gland is situated near the optic chiasm, where the optic nerves cross.
10. Which lobe of the pituitary gland is larger in humans?
A) Anterior lobe
B) Posterior lobe
C) Intermediate lobe
D) All lobes are equal in size
Answer: A) Anterior lobe
Explanation: The anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) is larger than the posterior lobe in humans.
11. The pituitary gland is encased within which cranial fossa?
A) Anterior cranial fossa
B) Middle cranial fossa
C) Posterior cranial fossa
D) Temporal fossa
Answer: B) Middle cranial fossa
Explanation: The pituitary gland is located within the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone, which lies in the middle cranial fossa.
12. What is the shape of the pituitary gland?
A) Spherical
B) Triangular
C) Kidney-shaped
D) Oval
Answer: D) Oval
Explanation: The pituitary gland is typically oval-shaped and about the size of a pea.
13. The intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland is responsible for secreting which hormone?
A) Oxytocin
B) Growth hormone
C) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
D) Prolactin
Answer: C) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Explanation: The intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland produces MSH, which influences pigmentation in the skin.
14. The pituitary gland is supplied with blood primarily by branches of which artery?
A) External carotid artery
B) Middle cerebral artery
C) Internal carotid artery
D) Vertebral artery
Answer: C) Internal carotid artery
Explanation: The superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries, branches of the internal carotid artery, provide blood supply to the pituitary gland.
15. Which of the following hormones is stored and released by the posterior pituitary?
A) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C) Oxytocin
D) Growth hormone
Answer: C) Oxytocin
Explanation: The posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), both of which are produced by the hypothalamus.
16. What separates the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland?
A) Infundibulum
B) Rathke’s pouch
C) Sella turcica
D) Diaphragma sellae
Answer: B) Rathke’s pouch
Explanation: Rathke’s pouch is an embryonic structure that develops into the anterior lobe and separates it from the posterior lobe.
17. What is the main function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system?
A) To supply oxygen to the pituitary gland
B) To regulate cerebrospinal fluid
C) To transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
D) To support venous drainage
Answer: C) To transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
Explanation: The hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system allows regulatory hormones to travel directly from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary to control hormone release.
18. Which hormone stimulates the secretion of cortisol from the adrenal glands?
A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
B) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) Prolactin
Answer: B) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Explanation: ACTH, secreted by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.
19. The pituitary gland is also known by which other name?
A) Thymus gland
B) Hypophysis
C) Epiphysis
D) Pineal gland
Answer: B) Hypophysis
Explanation: The pituitary gland is also called the hypophysis, derived from Greek, meaning “growth underneath” (referring to its location below the hypothalamus).
20. Which of the following is a function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), released by the posterior pituitary?
A) Increase heart rate
B) Regulate blood calcium levels
C) Promote water reabsorption in the kidneys
D) Stimulate insulin release
Answer: C) Promote water reabsorption in the kidneys
Explanation: ADH (also known as vasopressin) helps the body retain water by acting on the kidneys to reduce urine output.
