Adenohypophysis

A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary, also called the adenohypophysis, is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe, the (posterior pituitary, also known as the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis). The anterior pituitary regulates several physiological processes including stress, growth, reproduction and lactation. Proper function of the anterior pituitary and of the organs it regulates can often be ascertained via blood tests that measure hormone levels.

The 2022 World Health Organization classification of tumors of the pituitary gland distinguishes the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (Adenohypophysis) from the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis) and hypothalamic tumors.

Anterior lobe tumors include (i) well-differentiated adenohypophyseal tumors that are now classified as pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs; formerly known as pituitary neuroendocrine tumors), (ii) pituitary blastoma, and (iii) the two types of craniopharyngioma.