what is the work of pituitary galnd in the brain?

Question

help

Answer 1

The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain that functions as "The Master Gland." From its lofty position above the rest of the body it sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions. In addition, the pituitary gland produces growth hormone for normal development of height and prolactin for milk production

Answer 2

The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea that sits in the small, bony cavity (sella turcica) at the base of the brain.

The pituitary gland secretes hormones regulating a wide variety of bodily activities, including trophic hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands. For a while, this led scientists to call it the master gland, but now we know that it is in fact regulated by hormones released from the hypothalamus.

The pituitary gland is physically attached to the brain by the pituitary, or hypophyseal stalk connected with the median eminence.

It is divided into two sections: the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis).

Posterior pituitary
Its posterior lobe is connected to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus via the infundibulum (or stalk), giving rise to the tuberoinfundibular pathway. The posterior lobe is thus composed of neural tissue neural ectoderm and is derived from hypothalamus, its fuction is to store oxytocin and Antidieuretic hormone. When hypothalamic neurons fire: hormones release into the capillaries of the lobe.

The posterior pituitary is, in effect, a projection of the hypothalamus. It does not produce its own hormones, but only stores and releases the hormones oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH - also known as vasopressin).

[edit]
Anterior pituitary
The anterior lobe is derived from oral ectoderm, composed of glandular epithelium it communicates with the hypothalamus via a network of capillaries.

The anterior pituitary lobe receives releasing hormones from the hypothalamus via a portal vein system known as the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system.

The anterior pituitary secretes:

growth hormone
prolactin
follicle-stimulating hormone
luteinizing hormone
thyroid-stimulating hormone
adrenocorticotropic hormone
endorphins
and other hormones
It does this in response to a variety of chemical signals from the hypothalamus, which travel to the anterior lobe by way of a special capillary system from the hypothalamus, down the median eminence, to the anterior lobe. These include:

TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone)
CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)
DA (dopamine, "prolactin inhibiting factor"/PIF)
GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)
GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone)
These hormones from the hypothalamus cause release of the respective hormone from the pituitary, i.e. TRH releases TSH, CRH releases ACTH, GnRH releases FSH and LH and GHRH causes the release of GH except for DA, which constantly inhibits the release of prolactin normally. There is also an interaction between the hormones from the hypothalamus, i.e. TRH induces the release of prolactin.

The control of release of hormones from the pituitary is in a negative feedback loop. Their release is inhibited by increasing levels of hormones from the target gland on which they act.

Functions
The pituitary gland helps control the following body processes:

Growth
Blood pressure
Some aspects of pregnancy and childbirth
Breast milk production
Sex organ functions in both women and men
Thyroid gland function
The conversion of food into energy (metabolism)
Water and osmolarity regulation in the body

Answer 3

the pituitary gland is called the Master gland.. it controls.. blood pressure, hormones, etc.. it is located behind the optic nerve.. they can operate on it sometimes by going through your nose..if you have a pituitary tumor..

Answer 4

To signal the release of hormones.

Answer 5

It produces and controls hormones such as Testosterone and/or Estrogen