Endocrinology Health Guide

The Pituitary Gland

Anatomy of the pituitary gland:

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The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master" gland of the endocrine system, because it controls the functions of the other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the brain. The gland is attached to the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that affects the pituitary gland) by nerve fibers. The pituitary gland itself consists of three sections:

the anterior lobe
the intermediate lobe
the posterior lobe

Functions of the pituitary gland:

Each lobe of the pituitary gland produces certain hormones.

anterior lobe:

growth hormone
prolactin - to stimulate milk production after giving birth
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) - to stimulate the adrenal glands
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) - to stimulate the thyroid gland
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) - to stimulate the ovaries and testes
LH (luteinizing hormone) - to stimulate the ovaries or testes

intermediate lobe:

melanocyte-stimulating hormone - to control skin pigmentation

posterior lobe:

ADH (antidiuretic hormone) - to increase absorption of water into the blood
by the kidneys
oxytocin - to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate milk production

This page was last updated on: June 4, 2009.

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