Pituitary gland: a small organ--about the
size of a dime and located in the center of the
brain--which makes hormones that affect growth and
the functions of other glands in the body. 1
Introduction: The pituitary is a small
gland inside the head, behind the bridge of the
nose. Though small, it produces many important
hormones that regulate basic body functions. The
major pituitary hormones and their effects are:
-
growth
hormone--regulates body growth, especially
during adolescence;
-
adrenocorticotropin
(ACTH)--stimulates the adrenal glands to
produce cortisol;
-
thyrotropin
(TSH)--stimulates the thyroid gland to produce
thyroid hormones;
-
luteinizing
hormone (LH)--stimulates the ovaries or testes
to produce sex hormones that determine many
features of "maleness" or
"femaleness"; and
2
The pituitary
gland, sometimes called the master gland, plays a
critical role in regulating growth and
development, metabolism, and reproduction. It
produces prolactin and a variety of other key
hormones. These include growth hormone, which
regulates growth; ACTH (corticotropin), which
stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol;
thyrotropin, which signals the thyroid gland to
produce thyroid hormone; and luteinizing hormone
and follicle-stimulating hormone, which regulate
ovulation and estrogen and progesterone production
in women, and sperm formation and testosterone
production in men.
The pituitary
gland sits in the middle of the head in a bony box
called the sella turcica. The eye nerves
sit directly above the pituitary gland.
Enlargement of the gland can cause local symptoms
such as headaches or visual disturbances.
Pituitary tumors may also impair production of one
or more pituitary hormones, causing reduced
pituitary function (hypopituitarism). 3
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