NCM 117- LECTURE

CHAPTER 52

THE PITUITARY GLAND

Anatomic and Physiologic Overview
Pituitary Gland

 a small, pea-sized gland located at the

base of your brain below your hypothalamus

commonly referred to as the master
gland because of the influence it has on secretion
of hormones by other endocrine glands.

 Round structure with 1.27 cm (1/2 in) in diameter,

is located on the inferior aspect of the brain and is divided into anterior and posterior lobes
 It is controlled by the HYPOTHALAMUS. (adjacent area of the brain that is connected to the
pituitary by the pituitary stalk.)

ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

Major Hormones:
The main
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
function is
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
the release of
Prolactin (PRL)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) hormones
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from other
Growth hormone (GH-also referred to as somatotropin) endocrine
The secretion of these major hormones is controlled by releasing factorsglands.
secreted by the
hypothalamus. These releasing factors reach the anterior pituitary by way of the bloodstream in a
special circulation called the pituitary portal blood system.

Prolactin (PRL) - acts on the breast to stimulate milk production.

Growth Hormone (GH)
- the most abundant anterior pituitary hormone, regulates growth in children and
energy and metabolism in adults. GH increases protein synthesis in many
tissues, increases the breakdown of fatty acids in adipose tissue, and increases
blood glucose levels.
- Secretion is increased by deep sleep, stress, exercise, fasting, malnutrition,
hypoglycemia, trauma, hypovolemic shock, and sepsis, and is decreased in the
presence of obesity, depression, and hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormone and insulin - are required for the GH system to function.

POSTERIOR PITUITARY

Important hormones:
1. Vasopressin
- also referred to as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and oxytocin.
- controls the excretion of water by the kidney; its secretion is stimulated by an
increase in the osmolality of the blood or by a decrease in blood pressure.
- Oxytocin secretion is stimulated during pregnancy and at childbirth. It facilitates
milk ejection during lactation and increases the force of uterine contractions
during labor and delivery

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Abnormalities of pituitary function are caused by:
 oversecretion or undersecretion of any of the hormones produced or released
by the gland.
 May occur independently
 Hypopituitarism (Hypofunction of the pituitary gland) can result from disease of
the pituitary gland itself or disease of the hypothalamus. Resulted from radiation
therapy to the head and neck area.

Anterior Pituitary