In embryogenesis, Rathke's pouch is an evagination at the roof of the developing mouth in front of the buccopharyngeal membrane. It gives rise to the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis), a part of the endocrine system.[1]

Rathke's pouch
Sketches in profile of two stages in the development of the human digestive tube.
Details
Carnegie stage10
Gives rise toAnterior pituitary
Identifiers
Latinfovea adenohypophysialis
Anatomical terminology

Development

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Rathke's pouch, and therefore the anterior pituitary, is derived from ectoderm. Rathke's pouch forms during the fourth week of embryonic development. It begins as an ectodermal invagination at the roof of the stomodeum, which extends dorsally towards the developing brain.[2]

The pouch eventually loses its connection with the pharynx giving rise to the anterior pituitary. The anterior wall of Rathke's pouch proliferates, filling most of the pouch to form pars distalis and pars tuberalis. The posterior wall forms pars intermedia.

In some organisms, the proliferating anterior wall does not fully occupy Rathke's pouch, leaving a remnant (Rathke's cleft) between the pars distalis and pars intermedia. This remnant may develop into a large cyst, the Rathke's cleft cyst. This cyst typically doesn't cause symptoms, but, if large enough, it may cause vision loss, bitemporal hemianopsia, blurry vision, and dulled color vision.[3]

Anatomy and Structure

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Rathke's pouch is a sac-like structure that gives rise to the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. The cells of Rathke's pouch proliferate and differentiate into various hormone-producing cells, including Somatotrophs, Lactotrophs, Corticotrophs, Thyrotrophs, and Gonadotrophs.[4]

Clinical significance

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Rathke's pouch may develop benign cysts. Craniopharyngioma is a neoplasm which can arise from the epithelium within the cleft. Abnormal development of Rathke's pouch can lead to various congenital disorders such as Rathke's cleft cysts. These conditions can result in pituitary dysfunction and present with symptoms such as hormonal imbalances, growth retardation, and visual disturbances.[5]

Research and Future Directions

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Current research on Rathke's pouch focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing its development and differentiation. Advances in genetic and stem cell research hold promise for developing novel therapies for pituitary disorders resulting from Rathke's pouch malformations.[6]

Eponym

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It is named for Martin Rathke.[7][8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Asa, Sylvia L.; Ezzat, Shereen (2009-02-01). "The Pathogenesis of Pituitary Tumors". Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease. 4 (1): 97–126. doi:10.1146/annurev.pathol.4.110807.092259. ISSN 1553-4006.
  2. ^ Of journal "Morphologia", Editorial office (2019-12-27). "Langman's Medical Embryology. 14th Edition, 2018 Author: T.W. Sadler". Morphologia. 13 (4): 90–96. doi:10.26641/1997-9665.2019.4.90-96. ISSN 1997-9665.
  3. ^ "Rathke's Cleft Cyst - Pituitary & Skull Base Tumor | UCLA Health". UCLA Health. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  4. ^ Asa, Sylvia L; Mete, Ozgur (2017-12-14). "What's new in pituitary pathology?". Histopathology. 72 (1): 133–141. doi:10.1111/his.13295. ISSN 0309-0167.
  5. ^ Chapman, Ian M.; Thorner, Michael O. (1997), "Growth Hormone", Diseases of the Pituitary, Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, pp. 79–112, ISBN 978-1-4612-8438-3, retrieved 2024-07-26
  6. ^ Kelberman, Daniel; Dattani, Mehul Tulsidas (2007-06-21). "Genetics of septo-optic dysplasia". Pituitary. 10 (4): 393–407. doi:10.1007/s11102-007-0055-5. ISSN 1386-341X.
  7. ^ synd/3564 at Who Named It?
  8. ^ M. H. Rathke. Entwicklungsgeschichte der Natter (Coluber natrix). Königsberg, Bornträger, 1839.
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