 the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis) is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland which is part of the endocrine system. the posterior pituitary is not glandular as is the anterior pituitary. instead, it is largely a collection of axonal projections from the hypothalamus that terminate behind the anterior pituitary, and is also a store for the later release of neurohypophysial hormones. ==structure== the posterior pituitary consists mainly of neuronal projections (axons) of magnocellular neurosecretory cells extending from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. these axons store and release neurohypophysial hormones oxytocin and vasopressin into the neurohypohyseal capillaries, from there they get into the systemic circulation (and partly back to the hypophyseal portal system). in addition to axons, the posterior pituitary also contains pituicytes, specialized glial cells resembling astrocytes assisting in the storage and release of the hormones. classification of the posterior pituitary varies, but most sources include the two regions below: ;pars nervosa: also called the neural lobe or posterior lobe, this region constitutes the majority of the posterior pituitary and is the storage site of oxytocin and vasopressin. sometimes (incorrectly) considered synonymous with the posterior pituitary, the pars nervosa includes herring bodies and pituicytes. ;infundibular stalk: also known as the infundibulum or pituitary stalk, the infundibular stalk bridges th
Endocrine_system Neuroendocrinology