craniopharyngioma, /krā′nē·ōfərin′jē·ō″mə/ pl. craniopharyngiomas, craniopharyngiomata, a congenital pituitary tumor, appearing most often in children and adolescents, that arises in cells derived from Rathke’s pouch or the hypophyseal stalk. The lesion, a solid or cystic body ranging in size from 1 to 8 cm, may expand into the third ventricle or the temporal lobe and frequently becomes calcified. The tumor may interfere with pituitary function, damage the optic chiasm, disrupt hypothalamic control of the autonomic nervous system, and cause hydrocephalus. Increased intracranial pressure, severe headaches, vomiting, stunted growth, defective vision, irritability, somnolence, and infantile genitalia are often associated with the lesion in children. Development of the tumor after puberty usually results in amenorrhea in women and loss of libido and potency in men. Also called ameloblastoma, pituitary adamantinoma, Rathke’s pouch tumor, craniopharyngeal duct tumor.
