Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating the body’s vital functions and overall well-being. It is called the “master gland” in the body because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands. What functions does the pituitary gland perform? What is hypopituitarism?
Pituitary gland – what is it?
The pituitary gland is called the master gland because its hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, namely the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.
The pituitary gland is about the size of a cherry stone, its diameter is about 1 cm. It is located in the cavity of the sphenoid bone, which is the base of the skull. The pituitary gland consists of three parts: front (front), middle and rear (back) lobes. Each of them can be described according to their unique functions.
The anterior pituitary gland plays a leading role in the development of the human body. This includes the secretion of hormones that guide our reproduction and sexual maturation. These hormones control growth and also activate the adrenal and thyroid glands and the sex glands.
The intermediate lobe secretes hormones that stimulate the pigment-producing cells in our body called melanocytes. These melanocytes are the reason why our skin color varies so much. Finally, the posterior lobe produces ADH, which is a hormone that allows our kidneys to reabsorb water into the bloodstream to prevent dehydration.
Oxytocin is also produced in the posterior lobe and causes contractions during labor. While these hormones are extremely important to the survival of our species, they make up only a small fraction of the hormones produced and released by the pituitary gland.
In some cases, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to stimulate or suppress hormone production. Since their functions are so interconnected, it is no surprise that the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are close together. They are actually connected by a pituitary stem or, more technically, a funnel.
Read also: What is empty saddle syndrome?
Pituitary gland – functions
The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because the hormones it produces control many different processes in the body. It senses the body’s needs and sends signals to various organs and glands throughout the body to regulate their function and maintain a suitable environment.
It secretes various hormones into the bloodstream that act as messengers that transmit information from the pituitary gland to distant cells, regulating their activity. For example, the pituitary gland produces prolactin, which acts on the breasts and stimulates 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. By secreting hormones, the pituitary gland controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure, and many other important physical functions and processes.
See also: Adrenal Disease – Everything You Need To Know About Them
Pituitary gland – hormones of the pituitary gland
The pituitary gland hormones send signals to other endocrine glands to stimulate or suppress their own hormone production. For example, the anterior pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate the production of cortisol in your adrenal glands when you are stressed.
The anterior lobe releases hormones upon receiving either releasing or inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus. These hormones in the hypothalamus tell the anterior lobe to release more of a certain hormone or stop producing it.
Anterior pituitary gland hormones:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce hormones,
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): FSH works with LH to help keep the ovaries and testes functioning normally.
- Growth Hormone (GH): GH is essential in the early years to maintain healthy body composition and height in children. In adults, it supports the maintenance of healthy bones and muscle mass and affects the distribution of fat,
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): LH works with FSH to ensure the normal function of the ovaries and testes.
- Prolactin: prolactin stimulates the production of breast milk,
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones.
In the posterior lobe are the ends of nerve cells that come from the hypothalamus. Through these nerves, the hypothalamus sends hormones directly to the posterior lobe, and the pituitary gland then releases them.
Posterior pituitary gland hormones:
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): This hormone stimulates the kidneys to increase the absorption of water in the blood.
- Oxytocin: Oxytocin is involved in various processes such as contracting the uterus during labor and stimulating the production of breast milk.
The editorial board recommends: Oxytocin helps regenerate muscles
Pituitary gland – disturbing symptoms
The pituitary gland is involved in a number of processes in our body. Therefore, any malfunction of it can cause disturbing symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor if you regularly notice:
- headaches,
- weakness or fatigue
- high blood pressure,
- unexplained weight gain
- problems with sleeping,
- changes in your mental state, including mood swings or depression
- memory loss,
- reproductive problems including infertility, erectile dysfunction and irregular periods
- excessive or unusual hair growth.
Pituitary gland – diseases of the pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is an important gland in the body, and the hormones it produces have a variety of functions and regulate the work of many other organs. This means that the conditions that occur when the pituitary gland stops working properly can vary depending on which hormone is affected.
Examples of pituitary gland disorders include:
Pituitary tumors – the most common type of pituitary gland disorders, however, are tumors. The vast majority of pituitary tumors are mild or simply benign gland swelling that may not cause any symptoms.
Unlike many types of tumors, most people with pituitary tumors have no prior family history of pituitary problems and are usually not genetically inherited. The only exception is the numerous endocrine tumors (or MEN), which are a set of inherited disorders that lead the body’s endocrine glands, including the pituitary gland, to overexpress hormones. But pituitary tumors in particular still remain generally benign,
Hypopituitarism This condition causes the pituitary gland to make very little or no production of one or more hormones. This can affect things such as growth or function of the reproductive system,
Acromegaly – in this state, the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. This can lead to excessive growth, especially in the hands and feet. Often associated with pituitary tumors,
Diabetes insipidus – This may be due to a problem with the release of vasopressin. Usually it is caused by a head injury, surgery, or tumor. As a result, people with this condition pass large amounts of highly diluted urine. They may also feel they need to drink plenty of water or other fluids.
Cushing’s disease – The pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone in people with this disease. This can lead to easy bruising, high blood pressure, weakness and weight gain. It is often caused by a tumor near or in the pituitary gland.
Hyperprolactinemia – in this state, your blood contains an unusually large amount of prolactin. This can lead to infertility and decreased sex drive.
Serious brain injury – is associated with a head injury. Depending on the injury, it can sometimes damage the pituitary gland and cause problems with memory, communication, or behavior.
If we find that our pituitary gland is not functioning properly, we must seek specialist help. The luck in the misfortune is the fact that we will not need ten doctors, because we will regulate the work of the whole organism by regulating the work of the pituitary gland, maybe one: an endocrinologist.
But we come to his office on the recommendation of doctors of other specialties: paediatricians, gynecologists, neurologists, internists or ophthalmologists – because each of them in his plot may notice a problem in the functioning of the pituitary gland.
Regardless of the floor and the cause of the disturbance of the hormone, one thing is important: the endocrinologist must be consulted as soon as possible, before the problem with a specific hormone leads to more serious disturbances. And once you know what’s wrong with you, there are two treatment options: pharmacological and operative.
The latter is used, for example, in the case of adenoma, one of the most common pituitary problems. Luck again in disaster: treatment is usually effective and produces lightning-fast results – if it is started really quickly. Therefore, it is important to take all red flags seriously.
Content from the site medTvoiLokony they are intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and his doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.