*'''Anterior pituitary''': (Adenohypophysis), consisting of the '''Pars Tuberalis and Pars Distalis''' this part has an embryological origin as an epithelial upgrowth from the foetal oral cavity called ''Rathke's Pouch''. The pars tuberalis is a thin band of endocrine cells around the infundibular stalk. It is dense in '''melatonin''' receptors, and functions to regulate release of reproductive hormones according to season. The endocrine cells within the pars distalis synthesize, store and release hormones in response releasing and inhibiting factors from the [[Hypothalamus - Anatomy & Physiology|hypothalamus]]. These factors reach the pars distalis in the '''hypophyseal portal system''', which connects capillaries of the median eminence to the capillaries of the pars distalis. | *'''Anterior pituitary''': (Adenohypophysis), consisting of the '''Pars Tuberalis and Pars Distalis''' this part has an embryological origin as an epithelial upgrowth from the foetal oral cavity called ''Rathke's Pouch''. The pars tuberalis is a thin band of endocrine cells around the infundibular stalk. It is dense in '''melatonin''' receptors, and functions to regulate release of reproductive hormones according to season. The endocrine cells within the pars distalis synthesize, store and release hormones in response releasing and inhibiting factors from the [[Hypothalamus - Anatomy & Physiology|hypothalamus]]. These factors reach the pars distalis in the '''hypophyseal portal system''', which connects capillaries of the median eminence to the capillaries of the pars distalis. |