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Living with Acromegaly
What is the pituitary gland and where is it located?
The pituitary is a small gland (no larger than a pea) located at the base of the brain near the optic
nerves. It rests in a saddle-like compartment in the skull called the “sella turcica”. The pituitary gland
plays a key role as the master gland of the endocrine system. It receives information from the brain
via the hypothalamus and produces hormones that are important to the functioning of other organs.
These hormones are released in the blood circulation in order to reach their target organs.
Optic chiasm
Posterior pituitary lobe
Nasal cavity
Anterior pituitary lobe
Sella turcica
The pituitary is composed of two lobes: the posterior lobe and the anterior lobe (called
adenohypophysis) containing the five hormone-secreting cell types. The pituitary posterior lobe
stores two hormones produced by the hypothalamus: antidiuretic hormone (ADH) important for
water reabsorption and oxytocin important for uterine contractions. The pituitary anterior lobe is
comprised of five different cells, each producing a corresponding hormone.
• One cell type (corticotrophs) produces adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) that stimulates the release
of glucocorticoid by adrenals, contributing to normal blood pressure and electrolyte balance.
• The second cell type (thyrotrophs) produces thyroid-stimulated hormone (TSH) that stimulates
thyroid hormone release by the thyroid gland, contributing to metabolism.
What is the pituitary gland and where is it located?
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• The third type (gonadotrophs) secretes gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) that regulate sexual
function and reproduction.
• The fourth type (lactotrophs) produce prolactin, the hormone of lactation.
• Finally, the somatotrophs produce GH that stimulates the production of insulin-like growth
factor 1 (IGF-1) by the liver, regulating the growth.
Thyroid
Mammary
Glands
(female)
TSH
Prolactin
Uterus and Breast
Oxytocin
Adrenal Cortex
ACTH
Kidney
ADH
LH-FSH
Ovaries (female)
Testis (male)
LH-FSH
GH
Muscle/Bone
What is the pituitary gland and where is it located?
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