Endocrine Glands & Functions I

Pathophysiology Course

Pituitary Gland

Think of the pituitary as the testis of the brain, since they look like a set of
testicles & similarly release hormones that help the body do many functions.
Separated into 2 lobes:

- Anterior pituitary
The largest part of the pituitary responsible for synthesis & release of Anterior pituitary
most pituitary hormones
Posterior pituitary
- Posterior pituitary
Stores & secretes hormones produced by the hypothalamus right
above the pituitary

Anterior Pituitary

HORMONE EFFECT ON TARGET STIMULUS FOR RELEASE HORMONE EFFECT ON TARGET STIMULUS FOR RELEASE

ACTH: Stimulates adrenal cortex to Stress FSH: Men: sperm production GnRH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone release aldosterone & cortisol Follicle-stimulating hormone Women: ovarian follicles for eggs Gonadotropin-releasing
hormone

ACTH Aldosterone
FSH Hypothalamus
& cortisol. GnRH

Anterior
pituitary

FSH

LH: Men: testicular GnRH GH: Increased during anabolic metabolism, Normal growth
Luteinizing hormone Women: ovulation (release of the egg) Growth hormone cartilage growth & catabolism of fat. & development
Blood glucose & insulin effects

LH GnRH
Hypothalamus
GH Glycogen

Glucose
Anterior
pituitary

Lipids
LH

Amino acids

PRL: Stimulates production of milk Estrogen, pregnancy TSH: Simulates thyroid to release Thyroid needs
Prolactin in the breast & nursing Thyroid-stimulating hormone T3 & T4

PRL TSH
T3 & T4
TSH
Estrogen Pregnancy

T3 & T4

Nursing

Notes

Notes