The Morphology of the Pituitary Gland of the Hawaiian Mongoose (Herpestes Auropunctatus)

Abstract

The pituitary gland of the ferrale Hawaiian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus, is a small boat-shaped organ located in a relatively shallow sella turcica, attached to the anterior clinoid process by dura mater, and caudally partially oovered by the posterior clinoid process. The pituitary has an ovoid pars distalis. The pars intermedia forms a cup-like structure around the pars nervosa open dorsally. A pruninent intraglandular cleft separates the pars distalis from the pars intennedia.