Saturday, June 4, 2011

Pituitary Gland


  • 2 fused glands (anterior and posterior)
  • Extends down from the brain – connected by thin stalk
Anterior Pituitary Gland (adenohypophysis)
  • Epithelial origin – embryonic tissue that formed the roof of the mouth
  • 6 hormones – all controlled by hypothalamus
    • Prolactin, TSH, ACTH, GH, FSH, LH
  • A.p. hormones control growth, metabolism, and reproduction
  • Prolactin – milk production
  • GH (somatotropin)
    • Metabolism of many tissues
    • Activates hormone production by liver
  • FSH, LH – gonadotrophins (ovaries and testes)
  • TSH (thyrotropin) – controls hormone synthesis + secretion in the thyroid gland
  • ACTH (corticotrophin) – acts on adrenal cortex à cortisol



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