Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing. It is referred to as the body's 'master gland' because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands.
The pituitary gland is called the 'master gland' as the hormones it produces control so many different processes in the body. It senses the body's needs and sends signals to different organs and glands throughout the body to regulate their function and maintain an appropriate environment. It secretes a variety of hormones into the bloodstream which act as messengers to transmit information from the pituitary gland to distant cells, regulating their activity. For example, the pituitary gland produces prolactin, which acts on the breasts to induce milk production. The pituitary gland also secretes hormones that act on the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries and testes, which in turn produce other hormones. Through secretion of its hormones, the pituitary gland controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure and many other vital physical functions and processes.
What hormones does my pituitary gland produce?
The anterior pituitary gland produces the following hormones and releases them into the bloodstream:
adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete steroid hormones, principally cortisol
growth hormone, which regulates growth, metabolism and body composition
luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, also known as gonadotrophins. They act on the ovaries or testes to stimulate sex hormone production, and egg and sperm maturity
prolactin, which stimulates milk production
thyroid stimulating hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones.
Each of these hormones is made by a separate type of cell within the pituitary gland, except for follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone, which are made together by the same cell.
Two hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and then stored in the posterior pituitary gland before being secreted into the bloodstream. These are:
anti-diuretic hormone (also called vasopressin), which controls water balance and blood pressure
oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions during labour and milk secretion during breastfeeding.
Between the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary lies the intermediate pituitary gland. Cells here produce:
melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which acts on cells in the skin to stimulate the production of melanin.
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