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Rathke's pouch --> pituitary diverticulum

A tubular outgrowth of ectoderm from the stomodeum of the embryo; it grows dorsad toward the infundibular process of the diencephalon, around which it forms a cup-like mass, giving rise to the pars distalis and pars juxtaneuralis of the hypophysis.

Synonym: craniopharyngeal canal, hypophyseal pouch, rathke's diverticulum, Rathke's pocket, rathke's pouch.