Which glands are regulated by the pituitary gland

The pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain, produces a number of hormones. Each of these hormones affects a specific part of the body a target organ or tissue. Because the pituitary controls the function of most other endocrine glands, it is often called the master gland. Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH. Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH , also called corticotropin , which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other hormones. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone the gonadotropins , which stimulate the testes to produce sperm, the ovaries to produce eggs, and the sex organs to produce sex hormones testosterone and estrogen.

Growth hormone, which regulates growth and physical development and has important effects on body shape by stimulating muscle formation and reducing fat tissue. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. The anterior lobe also produces several other hormones, including one that causes the skin to darken beta-melanocyte—stimulating hormone and ones that inhibit pain sensations enkephalins and endorphins and help control the immune system endorphins.

Fat tissue has a lower percentage of water than lean tissue and women tend to have more fat, so the percentage Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract during childbirth and immediately after delivery to prevent excessive bleeding. Oxytocin also stimulates contractions of the milk ducts in the breast, which move milk to the nipple the let-down in lactating women. Oxytocin has some additional roles in both men and women. The pituitary gland can malfunction in several ways, usually as a result of developing a noncancerous tumor adenoma.

The tumor may overproduce one or more pituitary hormones, or the tumor may press on the normal pituitary cells, causing underproduction of one or more pituitary hormones.

The tumor may also cause enlargement of the pituitary gland Enlargement of the Pituitary Gland Enlargement of the pituitary gland is usually due to a tumor but may be due to bleeding into the gland or involvement by some other disease, such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis. In some cases Sometimes there is overproduction of one hormone by a pituitary tumor and underproduction of another at the same time due to pressure.

Sometimes excess cerebrospinal fluid can fill the space around the pituitary gland and compress it resulting in empty sella syndrome Empty Sella Syndrome In empty sella syndrome, the sella turcica the bony structure at the base of the brain that houses the pituitary gland fills with cerebrospinal fluid, partially or completely compressing the The pressure may cause the pituitary to overproduce or underproduce hormones. Acromegaly or gigantism Gigantism and Acromegaly Overproduction of growth hormone causes excessive growth.

In children, the condition is called gigantism. In adults, it is called acromegaly. Excessive growth hormone is almost always caused The hypothalamus releases signaling molecules that incite the anterior pituitary to produce hormones.

The posterior pituitary secretes two important endocrine hormones—oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone. The posterior pituitary or neurohypophysis comprises the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is part of the endocrine system. Despite its name, the posterior pituitary gland is not a gland; rather, it is largely a collection of axonal projections from the hypothalamus that terminate behind the anterior pituitary gland. The posterior pituitary consists mainly of neuronal projections axons extending from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus.

These axons release peptide hormones into the capillaries of the hypophyseal circulation. These are then stored in neurosecretory vesicles Herring bodies before being secreted by the posterior pituitary into the systemic bloodstream. The posterior pituitary is derived from the hypothalamus and is distinct from the more fleshy, vascularized anterior lobe. The posterior pituitary is composed of two parts:.

Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Endocrine System. Search for:. The Pituitary Gland. Overview of the Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus and secretes nine hormones that regulate body homeostasis.

Learning Objectives Summarize the structure and function of the pituitary gland. Key Takeaways Key Points The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea. The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are produced in the hypothalamus and then passed down a tube between the hypothalamus and the pituitary the pituitary stalk when they are then secreted into the blood.

In total more than hormones or hormone-like substances have been discovered. In addition to the hormones listed in the table above, five of these hormones are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary.

For more information about glands and hormones, as well as educational resources, visit the Society for Endocrinology's 'You and Your Hormones' website. Information is vital for pituitary patients and we can't do this without you. Your download is complete. You are here: Home Information Hormones Your hormones Hormones are chemicals which circulate in the blood stream and spread around the body to carry messages or signals to different parts of the body.

Hormones produced by the pituitary gland The two sections of the pituitary gland produce a number of different hormones which act on different target glands or cells. ACTH is also known as corticotrophin. TSH Thyroid Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, which is called thyroxine. TSH is also known as thyrotrophin.

Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. LH and FSH are known collectively as gonadotrophins. Thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone activates your thyroid to release thyroid hormones. Your thyroid gland and the hormones it produces are crucial for metabolism. Adrenocorticotropic hormone. This hormone stimulates your adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other hormones. Follicle-stimulating hormone. Follicle-stimulating hormone is involved with estrogen secretion and the growth of egg cells in women.

Luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone is involved in the production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Prolactin helps women who are breastfeeding produce milk. Enkephalins are closely related to endorphins and have similar pain-relieving effects. Beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. This hormone helps to stimulate increased pigmentation of your skin in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Posterior lobe The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland also secretes hormones. Hormones stored in the posterior lobe include: Vasopressin. This is also called antidiuretic hormone. It helps your body conserve water and prevent dehydration. This hormone stimulates the release of breast milk. It also stimulates contractions of the uterus during labor. Pituitary gland diagram. Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to learn more about the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland conditions. Examples of pituitary gland disorders include: Pituitary tumors.

Pituitary tumors are usually noncancerous.