Rathke's cleft cyst

Rathke's cleft cyst is a benign, fluid-filled sac that develops in the pituitary gland, which is a small but vital gland at the base of the brain responsible for hormone regulation. It originates from remnants of Rathke's pouch, an embryonic structure that normally forms part of the pituitary. Often, these cysts are harmless and do not cause symptoms, but if they grow large or press on nearby structures, they can cause headaches, vision changes, or hormonal imbalances. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through imaging like MRI, and treatment may involve monitoring or surgical removal if symptoms occur.