Blood supply, blood flow and autoregulation in the adenohypophysis, and altered patterns in oestrogen-induced adenomatous hyperplasia.

The article addresses the fascinating topic of blood flow in the normal and the adenomatous anterior pituitary gland. This is considered in conjunction with the anatomy and physiology of the area and the neuro secretion. The mechanisms of the control of the development and growth of the prolactinoma and the changes in the microcirculation of the tumour are discussed. It is felt that its altered microvascular pattern and in particular the influx of the systemic low dopamine blood through the supplementary and newly developed blood supply plays an important role in the natural history of these tumours.