The pituitary gland, which is located in the center of the skull, just behind the bridge of the nose, is about the size of a pea. It is an important link between the nervous system and the endocrine system and releases many hormones which affect growth, sexual development, metabolism and the system of reproduction.
Because the pituitary controls the function of most other endocrine oval gland at the base of the brain, in the fossa (depression) of the sphenoid bone,which produces a number of different hormones . It oversees hormone production by the sex glands (the ovaries, in women), adrenal glands, and thyroid gland. Pituitary disorders (such as tumors) can cause amenorrhea -- and, thus, be mistaken for early menopause.
The overall role is to regulate growth and metabolism. The gland is divided into the posterior and anterior pituitary, each responsible for the production of it's own unique hormones.
The pituitary gland makes hormones that affect the growth and the functions of other glands in the body and secretes hormones controlling ovulation. An image of the pituitary gland.
The pituitary secrets several hormones which are as follows:
- Prolactin
- TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone)
- FSH ( Follicle stimulating hormone)
- LH ( luteinizing hormone)
- ACTH ( adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- ADH ( antidiuretic hormone)
More on endocrine glands at http://cushingshelp.blogspot.com/
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