Contents:
- Medical Video: What is the Pituitary Gland?
- What is the function of the pituitary gland?
- What are the hormones produced by the pituitary gland?
- What are the possible disorders of the pituitary?
Medical Video: What is the Pituitary Gland?
The human body has 14 major glands that have the most important task of carrying out various biological processes. One of the glands to be discussed in this article is the pituitary gland, which is shaped like a bulge and is located in the lower part of the brain. Come on, read more!
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland, or pituitary, is a producer gland of certain hormones that act as a regulator of various aspects of the human body. The hormones produced by the pituitary help regulate growth, blood pressure, energy production and burning, and various functions of other organs.
This gland is often dubbed the "master gland" because the hormone secreted by it regulates other gland functions as well. These hormones can be produced either from the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the gland.
However, it is important to understand that the pituitary gland works alone to carry out bodily functions. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland act as messengers from and to many different cells in the body.
Before the pituitary gland produces hormones, the brain sends signals from the hypothalamus as the center of communication between the glands. After that, the gland will begin to produce which then acts as a signal for other glands and organs to regulate their functions.
What are the hormones produced by the pituitary gland?
The hormone produced by the pituitary gland can come from the front or rear pituitary part.
Hormones from the front of the gland, otherwise known as the Anterior Lobes:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): This hormone stimulates the production of adrenal hormones.
- Follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH): These hormones work together with each other as regulators for ovarian and testicular function.
- Growth hormone (GH): This hormone is very important in the growth of the human body, especially in the early years. For children, this hormone helps maintain a healthy body composition. For adults, GH acts as a counterweight to fat distribution and maintains healthy bones and muscles.
- Prolactin: The main function of this hormone is to stimulate the production of breast milk in women. This hormone also has effects on different sexual activities in men and women.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce its own hormones.
Hormones from the back of the pituitary gland, otherwise known as the Posterior Lobe:
- Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH): This hormone stimulates the kidney to increase the absorption of water in the blood, reducing the amount of water that comes out in the urine.
- Oxytocin: Oxytocin usually affects the process of labor and the body condition of the mother after giving birth, such as the production of breast milk.
What are the possible disorders of the pituitary?
The most common disorder found in the pituitary gland is a pituitary tumor.
Pituitary tumors are divided into 2 categories: secretion and non-secretory. Non-secretory tumors are caused by a lack of the amount of pituitary hormone produced. Meanwhile, secretory tumors are caused by excessive hormone production. Tumors can be caused by injury, certain drugs, internal bleeding, and other health problems.
These tumors rarely cause cancer, though this tumor can cause interference with the normal function of the gland. In some cases, these tumors can even grow so much that they compress adjacent brain parts, which may affect vision and other senses.
In addition to pituitary tumors, there is another disorder known as pituitary apoplection. In severe cases, sudden loss of glandular function can be life-threatening due to a sudden lack of vital hormones.
Patients are strongly advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible, because the pituitary gland is very important in maintaining bodily functions.
