- Pars intermedia
Infobox Anatomy
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Latin = pars intermedia adenohypophyseos
GraySubject = 275
GrayPage = 1275
Caption = Median sagittal through the hypophysis of an adult monkey. (Pars intermedia labeled at bottom center.)
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DorlandsPre = p_07
DorlandsSuf = 12616939Pars intermedia is the boundary between the anterior and posterior lobes of the
pituitary . It contains three types of cells - basophils,chromophobe s, andcolloid -filledcyst s. The cysts are the remainder ofRathke’s pouch .In human fetal life, this area produces
melanocyte stimulating hormone or MSH which causes the release of melanin pigment in skin melanocytes (pigment cells). However, the pars intermedia is normally either very small or entirely absent in adulthood.In lower vertebrates (fish, amphibians) MSH from the pars intermedia is responsible for darkening of the skin, often in response to changes in background color. This color change is due to MSH stimulating the dispersion of melanin pigment in dermal (skin) melanophore cells.
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