Cushing's Awareness Blog Challenge 2013 - Day 5

Pituitary Gland

 

 

The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea, weighing about 5 grams. It is located at the base of the brain and rests in a small bony cavity covered by a dural fold. The pituitary gland secretes 9 hormones that regulate homeostasis. The pituitary gland is made up of three lobes: anterior, intermediate and posterior.

 

The anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes the following important endocrine hormones:

Growth hormone

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Beta-endorphin

Prolactin

Luteinizing hormone

Follice-stimulating hormone

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
These hormones are released from the anterior pituitary under the influence of hypothalamus. Hypothalamus hormones are secreted to the anterior lobe by way of a special capillary system.

The posterior lobe develops as an extension of the hypothalamus. The posterior pituitary stores and secretes the following important endocrine hormones:
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone

Hormones secreted from the pituitary gland help control the following body processes:
Growth
Blood Pressure
Some parts of pregnancy and childbirth
Breast milk production
Sex organ function
Thyroid gland function
Metabolism
Water regulation
Water balance
Temperature regulation
Pain relief