The Pituitary Gland Bio Project

Topic: pituitary gland
Name: Tanushika C
Class: XI sec: A
Roll no. : 11145
Introduction:
The Pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a pea-
sized endocrine gland situated at the base of our brain. It is
often referred to as the ‘Master Gland’ because it produces
some of the important hormones in the body. It is situated
in a bony structure called the Pituitary fossa, just below the
hypothalamus, close to the optic nerve. The pituitary gland
is divided into three parts, also called lobes:
 Anterior pituitary
 Intermediate pituitary (Absent in adult human beings)
 Posterior pituitary
Anterior Pituitary Hormones
The anterior pituitary is responsible for the synthesis and
secretion of several key hormones in the body. These
hormones include:
Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Responsible for the growth

and repair of all cells in the body.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Influences the thyroid

gland for the release of thyroxine, its own hormone. TSH is
also called Thyrotropin.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Influences the adrenal

gland to release of Cortisol or the “stress hormone”. ACTH is
also known as corticotropin.
Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

(FSH): Collectively known as Gonadotropins, LH and FSH
control the sexual and reproductive characteristics in males
and females.
Prolactin (PRL): Produces milk in the breast. Though it is
present at all times, the secretion is increased during and
just after pregnancy.
Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH): Involved in the

stimulation of the production of melanin by skin and hair.
Posterior Pituitary Hormones
The posterior pituitary is responsible for the storage and secretion
of two very important hormones:
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): Controls the water balance of the body

by affecting reabsorption of water by the kidneys
Oxytocin: Controls certain aspects of pregnancy and childbirth such

as uterine contraction and production of milk.
Pituitary disorders
Pituitary disorders affect the functioning of the pituitary
gland, increasing or decreasing the level of certain hormone
secretion. This generally happens because of a non-
cancerous tumour called the pituitary adenoma.
A Pituitary macroadenoma (tumour larger than 10 mm) can

also cause the impairment of blood supply into the gland. It
can either cause overflow or stop the flow of blood
completely into the gland. This is called pituitary apoplexy.
Function
The main function of your pituitary gland is to produce and
release several hormones that help carry out important
bodily functions, including:
 Growth.
 Metabolism (how your body transforms and manages

the energy from the food you eat).
 Reproduction.
 Response to stress or trauma.
 Lactation.
 Water and sodium (salt) balance.
 Labor and childbirth.
Think of your pituitary gland like a thermostat. The

thermostat performs constant temperature checks in your
home to keep you comfortable. It sends signals to your
heating and cooling systems to turn up or down a certain
number of degrees to keep air temperatures constant.
Your pituitary gland monitors your body functions in much

the same way. Your pituitary sends signals to your organs
and glands — via its hormones — to tell them what
functions are needed and when. The right settings for your
body depend on several factors, including your age and sex.
How does the hypothalamus

and pituitary gland interact?
Together, your pituitary gland and hypothalamus form a
hypothalamus-pituitary complex that serves as your brain’s
central command center to control vital bodily functions.
Your hypothalamus is the part of your brain that’s in charge

of some of your body’s basic operations. It sends messages
to your autonomic nervous system, which controls things
like blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. Your
hypothalamus also tells your pituitary gland to produce and
release hormones that affect other areas of your body.
Your pituitary gland is connected to your hypothalamus

through a stalk of blood vessels and nerves (the pituitary
stalk). Through that stalk, your hypothalamus communicates
with the anterior pituitary lobe via hormones and the
posterior lobe through nerve impulses. Your hypothalamus
also creates oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone and tells
your posterior pituitary when to store and release these
hormones.
Your hypothalamus makes the following hormones to

communicate with and stimulate your pituitary gland:
 Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH).
 Dopamine.
 Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
 Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).

 Somatostatin.
 Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
Since your pituitary gland and hypothalamus work together

so closely, if one of them becomes damaged, it can affect
the hormonal function of the other.
Thank You!!

The Pituitary Gland Bio Project

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Topic: pituitary gland

Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Responsible for the growth

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Influences the thyroid

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Influences the adrenal

Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH): Involved in the

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): Controls the water balance of the body

Oxytocin: Controls certain aspects of pregnancy and childbirth such

A Pituitary macroadenoma (tumour larger than 10 mm) can

 Metabolism (how your body transforms and manages

 Response to stress or trauma.

 Water and sodium (salt) balance.

 Labor and childbirth.

Think of your pituitary gland like a thermostat. The

Your pituitary gland monitors your body functions in much

How does the hypothalamus

Your hypothalamus is the part of your brain that’s in charge

Your pituitary gland is connected to your hypothalamus

Your hypothalamus makes the following hormones to

 Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH).

 Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

 Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).

 Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

Since your pituitary gland and hypothalamus work together

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