Download The Pituitary Gland

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The Pituitary Gland
a.k.a the master gland as it controls all other endocrine glands.
This small sac-like structure is connected to the hypothalamus in the brain
and together control the homeostasis of the body.
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The pituitary gland is composed of 2 lobes:
1.
Posterior lobe – stores and releases hormones produced by the
hypothalamus.
1. antidiuretic hormone (ADH) – released into blood and targets
kidney cells, stimulating the nephrons to absorb or release water. This
regulates the water balance inside the body.
2. oxytocin – produced only by females, this hormone is responsible
for initiating uterine contractions, mild during monthly menstrual flow
and strong during labor contractions.
2.
Anterior lobe – produces and stores its own hormones which are
released into the blood stream when necessary.
HORMONE
TARGET CELLS
FUNCTION
Thyroid
Stimulating
Hormone
(TSH)
Thyroid
Release of thyroxine to
increase cell metabolism.
Corticotrophin
Adrenal
Steroid
(ACTH)
Adrenal
Cortex
Release of hormones
involved in the stress
response.
Somatotropin or
Growth hormone
All cells
Promotes cell and tissue
growth
Follicle
Stimulating
Hormone
(FSH)
Ovaries
Testes
In women, follicle
development
In men, sperm
development
Leutenizing
Hormone
(LH)
Ovaries
Testes
In women, ovulation and
formation of
corpus luteum
In men, production of
testosterone
Prolactin
(PRL)
Mammary
In women, milk
production