THE NEUROVASCULAR LINK BETWEEN THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIS AND ADENOHYPOPHYSIS

Abstract

There is little doubt that the secretory activity of the adenohypophysis is to some extent under the control of the nervous system [see Marshall, 1936, 1942; Brooks, 1939]. Two hypotheses have been advanced by various authors to explain this neural control: first, that the glandular cells possess a direct secretor-motor nerve supply, or secondly, that a humoral relay transmits the nervous stimuli from the hypothalamus by means of the hypophysial portal vessels. The nerve supply of the hypophysis is derived from several sources. A sympathetic supply was first described by Bourgery in 1845. It consists of a few fine twigs passing from the carotid plexus to the pars distalis. The method of termination of these fibres and their function remain doubtful. Possibly they end on gland cells and are secretomotor, but more probably they end on blood vessels and are vasomotor. It is certain, however, that they do not subserve