title: The pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study is to review the pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review of articles relating to the embryogenesis of the pituitary gland and sella and the pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Craniopharyngiomas are benign, epithelial neoplasms of the sella and parasellar region seen in children and adults that may arise from neoplastic transformation of ectoderm-derived epithelial cell remnants of Rathke's pouch and the craniopharyngeal duct.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160, South 1st Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. vprabhu@lumc.edu
authors.forename: Vikram C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: Henry G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000473:pathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology