What is the pituitary gland and what does it do?
Your pituitary is an important gland and is often referred to as the 'master gland', because it controls several other hormone glands including the thyroid and adrenals (which produce hormones essential for life) and the ovaries and testicles (for sex and reproduction). The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and is situated in a bony hollow beneath the base of your brain and just behind the bridge of your nose. The pituitary in turn is controlled by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is situated immediately above the pituitary gland. When your pituitary is functioning normally it produces a number of hormones:
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone
This may also be referred to as ACTH, or corticotrophin. This hormone stimulates your adrenal glands (situated just above your kidneys) to produce a hormone called cortisol. The adrenal hormones are essential for life and help us to cope with stress.
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
This hormone is secreted from the back part of your pituitary, and it is sent from the pituitary to the kidneys to limit the volume of urine produced. It is also known as vasopressin.
Gonadotrophins
These hormones control sex and reproduction. The two sex hormones made by the pituitary are luteinising hormone (often referred to as LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In women, these hormones are sent through the bloodstream from the pituitary to the ovaries, where they control ovulation. They are thus essential for a normal menstrual cycle and for fertility. In men, these hormones are sent to the testes, where LH stimulates the production of the male hormone testosterone, and FSH is important in sperm production. In children, LH and FSH control sexual development during puberty.
Growth hormone
This is often abbreviated to GH. In children this hormone is essential for a normal rate of growth. In adult life growth hormone is also important for a number of functions, including normal energy levels.
Hypothalamus - Secretes hormones that stimulate or suppress the release of hormones in the pituitary gland.
Pancreas - Secretes insulin and glucagon, which affect the body's absorption of glucose, the body's main source of energy.
Adrenal Cortex - Secretes hydrocortisone, which affects metabolism. Also secretes androgen hormone and aldosterone, which affect blood pressure and saline balance.
Thyroid gland - Secretes thyroxin, triiodothyronine and calcitonin, which affect metabolism, body heat, and bone growth.
Parathyroid glands - Secretes a parathyroid hormone, which affects calcium levels in the blood.
Gonads - The male and female reproductive glands (testes and ovaries). The testes secrete testosterone, which stimulate sperm production and other male characteristics. The ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone, which affect many aspects of the female body, including menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
The exocrine glands actually secrete their substances through ducts to particular areas. Examples of exocrine glands include the salivary glands and the sweat glands. The endocrine glands, on the other hand, secrete the hormones they produce directly into the bloodstream. Most endocrine glands are controlled by trophic (stimulating) hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, in turn, is controlled by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus in the brain.
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