Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is often dubbed the “master gland” because its hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, namely the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. However, the pituitary doesn’t entirely run the show.

• The hormones of the pituitary gland help regulate the functions of other endocrine glands.
• The pituitary gland has two parts—the anterior lobe and posterior lobe—that have two very separate functions.
• The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary to release or inhibit pituitary hormone production

Hypothalamus:

• The portion of the brain that maintains the body’s internal balance (homeostasis).
• The hypothalamus is the link between the endocrine and nervous systems.
• The hypothalamus produces releasing and inhibiting hormones, which stop and start the production of other hormones throughout the body.

The hypothalamus plays a significant role in the endocrine system. It is responsible for maintaining your body’s internal balance, which is known as homeostasis. To do this, the hypothalamus helps stimulate or inhibit many of your body’s key processes, including:

• Heart rate and blood pressure
• Body temperature
• Fluid and electrolyte balance, including thirst
• Appetite and body weight
• Glandular secretions of the stomach and intestines
• Production of substances that influence the pituitary gland to release hormones
• Sleep cycles

Pituitary Disorders:

There are two types of pituitary tumors—secretory and non-secretory. Secretory tumors secrete too much of a hormone, and non secretory tumors don’t secrete excess hormone.

These hormonal imbalances can cause problems in many different areas of the body. If you have a secretory tumor that is overproducing thyroid stimulating hormone, for instance, you will experience hyperthyroidism.