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Science Series2006
Pituitary Disorders
Understanding These Disorders and Planning for Future ResearchOCTOBER 2004 NIH Scientific Workshop Focuses the Discussion
What is thePituitary Gland?
What Happens Whenthe Pituitary GlandMalfunctions
?
Why Are PituitaryDisorders a Problem
?
What Causes PituitaryMalfunction?How Can PituitaryDisorders Be Treated?What Is NIHDoing AboutPituitary Disorders?
What Is the Pituitary Gland?
The pituitary is a bean-shaped gland attached to thebase of the brain by a thin stalk. Essential for growth, the pituitary functions as the “master gland.” It receivesinputs from the brain and the rest of the body, integrates that information, and then responds by producing hormones that regulate other glands and bodilyfunctions. The pituitary sends signals to the thyroidgland, adrenal glands, and ovaries or testes, directing  them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many other hormones. Thesehormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, bloodpressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital bodilyfunctions. In addition, the pituitary gland producesgrowth hormone for normal development of height andprolactin for milk production.
What Happens When the PituitaryGland Malfunctions?
Tumors (primarily benign), inflammation, infections,and injury can cause the pituitary gland to malfunction.Rarely, spread of other tumors to the pituitary can alsocause malfunction. In some cases, radiation therapy to the brain can cause normal pituitary cells to malfunction. Pituitary malfunctions resultin headaches, compression of the optic nervewith loss of peripheral vision, and a variety of hormonal effects on the heart, the gut, muscle,bone, and other parts of the body.Pituitary disorders stunt growth in children andshorten the lives of all affected individuals bycausing health complications, such as mooddisorders, sexual dysfunction or infertility, diabetes,osteoporosis, arthritis, and accelerated heartdisease. Certain pituitary tumors cause Cushing’sdisease, where too many hormones, calledglucocorticoids, are released into the bloodstream.This causes fat to build up in the face, back, andchest, and the arms and legs to become thin. Othersymptoms include too much sugar in the blood, weakmuscles and bones, a flushed face, and high bloodpressure. Other pituitary tumors cause a conditioncalled acromegaly, in which the hands, feet, and faceare larger than normal; in very young people, the wholebody may grow much larger than normal. Another typeof pituitary tumor causes the breasts to make milk, even though a woman may not be pregnant, and her menstrualperiods may stop. Empty sella syndrome (ESS) involves the sella turcica, a bony structure at the base of the brain that surrounds and protects the pituitary gland. In children,ESS may be associated with early onset of puberty, growthhormone deficiency, pituitary tumors, or pituitary glanddysfunction. Pituitary malfunction causes other disordersas well.
As the master gland, the pituitary is essentialfor growth and overallhormonal regulation.
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