HYPOTHALAMIC AND PITUITARY FUNCTION

 Pituitary – derived from both Latin and Greek word meaning “spit mucus”; designated as the master gland; also
referred as hypophysis (Greek) meaning “undergrowth” due to its position under the hypothalamus
 Functions include: feedback loops, pulsatile secretions, diurnal rhythms, and environmental or external
modification of its performance

Embryology and Anatomy

 Three distinct parts: Anterior Pituitary (adenohypophysis), Intermediate lobe (pars intermedialis); and the
Posterior Pituitary (neurohypophysis).