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The pituitary gland lies in a bone cavity suspended
from the hypothalamus under the brain and above the nasal cavity.
It can be split into two halves, a posterior section that developed
from nervous tissue, and an anterior section that developed from
the digestive tract.
The
Hypothalamus is not part of the endocrine system. It's part
of the brain. However, if the pituitary is the king of all glands,
the hypothalamus is the sorcerer that controls the king. The hypothalamus
detects hormones in the blood and receives nerve impulses from the
brain. Based on this input, the hypothalamus sends chemical messengers
to the pituitary gland that stimulate the pituitary to produce,
store or release certain hormones.
The Posterior Pituitary stores and releases
2 hormones, manufactured in the hypothalamus...
- Vasopressin (ADH
or antidiuretic hormone) helps maintain water balance by controlling
the urine output.
- Oxytocin stimulates
the smooth muscle in the uterus and breasts to induce childbirth
and to aid breast-feeding.
The Anterior Pituitary releases "tropic"
hormones, which trigger the production and release of other hormones
from other glands...
- Thyrotropic hormone
(TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) stimulates the thyroid gland
to produce thyroxine.
- Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) stimulates the cortex (outer layer) of both
adrenal glands
- Gonadotropic hormones
stimulate the gonads, thereby inducing and controlling puberty.
They include...
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
stimulates the ovaries.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
stimulates the testes.
We don't have amazing facts specific to the
adrenal glands. For facts on other glands check out our Amazing
Facts page.
Endocrine system
Glands
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