ABSTRACT

This chapter has been structured to provide a practical guide for veterinarians in the diagnosis and management of the more common endocrine disorders.

The pituitary gland is a small ovoid structure that lies in a distinct fossa, the sella turcica, just ventral to the hypothalamus and caudal to the optic chiasma. The pituitary consists of two distinct parts, an anterior and a posterior lobe, each of which has separate functions. The hypothalamus and pituitary form a complex functional unit that controls much of the endocrine system, and any space-occupying lesions arising in this area can therefore cause a wide range of effects.