Rathke pouch

Martin Heinrich Rathke first described in 1839 the embryonic structure, now known as Rathke pouch, from which the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland develops ¹⁾

Also known as hypophyseal diverticulum, is an ectodermal outpouching of stomodeum (primitive oral cavity lined by ectoderm) which forms at approximately 3-4 weeks gestation and goes on to form the adenohypophysis of the pituitary gland.

Craniopharyngiomas frequently grow from remnants of the Rathke pouch, which is located on the cisternal surface of the hypothalamic region. These lesions can also extend elsewhere in the infundibulohypophyseal axis.