Human body. Home Glands Pituitary gland. 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. Alternative names Hypophysis Where is my pituitary gland? Related Endocrine Conditions.
Cushing's disease Diabetes insipidus Empty sella syndrome Gigantism Hypopituitarism Prolactinoma Sheehan's syndrome Acromegaly Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency Non-functioning pituitary tumours Pituitary apoplexy Nelson's syndrome View all Endocrine conditions.
Related Hormones. Growth hormone Adrenocorticotropic hormone Anti-diuretic hormone Cortisol Follicle stimulating hormone Luteinising hormone Oxytocin Prolactin Thyroid stimulating hormone View all Hormones.
Children: Growth delay Adults: Decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, elevated cholesterol, low bone density osteoporosis , impaired psychological well-being,poor quality of life. Recombinant Human Growth Hormone- Given once daily as an injection under the skin.
Luteinizing Hormone Lh And Follicle Stimulating Hormone FSH : These hormones control the production of sex hormones estrogen and testosterone as well as sperm and egg maturation and release. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ACTH : This hormone triggers the adrenal glands located above the kidneys to release the hormone cortisol which in turn, regulates carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and is essential in the stress response.
Hydrocortisone or Prednisone-Given as daily pills. Prolactin PRL : This hormone stimulates secretion of breast milk. Inability to lactate.
No treatment available. Increased thirst and frequent urination. The posterior pituitary or neurohypophysis contains nerve cell axons reaching down from the hypothalamus and they release oxytocin and vasopressin. The pituitary stalk connects the hypophysis to the base of the brain, to the hypothalamus.
Figure 2. Normal pituitary gland on MRI. Side view, MRI scan cut through the nose. Figure 3. Frontal view, cut through the two ears.
Growth hormone enables the body to grow and reproduce and it is essential for good health throughout our lives. Growth hormone is also of considerable interest as a drug used in both humans and animals, and there are problems of abuse of growth hormone in sport.
Prolactin PRL Prolactin is found in both men and women. Its principal function is to initiate and sustain lactation which is the process of producing and releasing breast milk. Cortisol controls a number of functions and is particularly important in times of illness and stress. Hormones often have a knock-on effect initiating important processes in other glands and organs. Thyroid stimulating hormone tells the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones which are needed by the body.
The thyroid controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and also regulates how sensitive the body should be to other hormones. They are not necessary for life but are essential for reproduction. Together they stimulate the reproductive organs and initiate puberty which enables children to develop into sexually mature adults. In women these hormones control ovulation and are essential for a normal menstrual cycle and for fertility.
The hypothalamus influences the functions of temperature regulation, food intake, thirst and water intake, sleep and wake patterns, emotional behaviour and memory. Pituitary tumours are not 'brain tumours'. The term benign is used by doctors to describe a swelling which is not cancerous. Some pituitary tumours can exist for years without causing symptoms and some will never produce symptoms. Most pituitary tumours occur in people with no family history of pituitary problems and the condition is not usually passed on from generation to generation.
Only very occasionally are tumours inherited - for example, in a condition known as multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN1. It can cause headaches and visual problems or it can press on the pituitary gland, causing it to stop producing the required amount of one or more of the pituitary hormones.
This effect can also occur following treatment you are given for a tumour, such as surgery or radiotherapy. The more common pituitary conditions include acromegaly , Cushing's , diabetes insipidus , hypogonadism, hypopituitarism and prolactinoma.
Many pituitary problems are caused by a benign tumour and an operation is often the best course of action - and surgical methods are continually improving. We can reassure you that surgery carried out by a specialist neurosurgeon is safe and a relatively straightforward procedure. Most tumours are removed by making a small incision inside your nostril, or under the upper lip.
By using this route, the surgeon can see your pituitary without disturbing the main part of your brain.
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