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The pituitary glands are composed of two lobes which are the anterior and posterior lobe. The pituitary gland itself is located at the base of the brain and connected to the hypothalamus through a number of blood vessels and nerves also known as the infundibulum. This gland is a part of the endocrine system.
The pituitary gland’s main function is to produce many hormones and release them into the body to help the body function properly. These hormones help with growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress, balance of salts in the body and more. This specific gland sends signals to the other organs and glands through the hormones that it releases to signal what functions need to be carried out.
The hormones that the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland makes are vital to carry out bodily functions. ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) which is a hormone that responds to stress. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is also made which stimulates the production of sperm and also stimulates estrogen in the female system. Growth hormones are also stimulated into helping children grow taller and for adults to maintain their muscles and bones healthy. LH (luteinizing hormone) helps ovulation and testosterone production as well. Prolactin helps lactation in the reproductive system and affects fertility. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) stimulates the thyroid to help balance metabolism and energy in the body.
The hormones in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland produce ADH also known as vasopressin and oxytocin. Vasopressin helps regulate the water and sodium in the body and the oxytocin helps women in labor to help contraction when the baby is ready to be delivered. This hormone also helps move sperm in men.
Some disorders that affect the function of the pituitary gland are pituitary adenomas which are considered noncancerous tumors forming masses within the skull. Hypopituitarism is when the gland does not produce enough hormones to release into the body to function properly. Hyperpituitarism is when the gland over produces the hormones which can cause an adenoma in the brain/skull. Finally, empty sella syndrome is a rare condition where the gland shrinks and flattens at the base of the brain due to the sella turcica that protects the gland.
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