Pituitary Gland (Posterior &
Anterior)
By Jenny Huh, Sam Sender, and Sahani DeSilva
Period 2 H.A.P.
Endocrine System Overview
• Influences almost every cell, organ, & function of bodies
• Regulates mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism,
and sexual function & reproductive processes
• Composed of distinct glands that produce hormones
• 2 specific types of glands:
– Exocrine
• Secretions deposited into body cavity through ducts
– Endocrine
• Secretions sent directly into bloodstream
Pituitary Gland (Posterior &
Anterior)
Location of Pituitary Gland
• Located middle
of base of brain,
beneath
hypothalamus
• Anterior
forward region
• Posterior rear
region
Role & Function
• “Master Endocrine gland”  hormones control most of the other
endocrine glands
• Linked to overall coordination of body’s organ system
• Location serves as important communication center
– Synchronizing brain w/ endocrine system
• Anterior:
– Controlled by releasing hormones
• Produced by nerve cells of hypothalamus
• Secreted in capillaries that travel to anterior pituitary
• Posterior:
– Controlled by nerve cells
• Carry info from brain to posterior
http://www.pennmedicine.org/encyclopedia/em_DisplayAnimation.aspx?gci
d=000099&ptid=17
Hormones Associated with Gland
• Prolactin
• ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone
• Growth Hormone
Prolactin
Stimulates breast milk
and controls the
menstrual cycle
(red arrow)
Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)
Signals adrenal gland
to produce cortisol
- cortisol type of
glucocorticosteriod
responsible for
stress-fighting and
anti- inflammatory
responses
(Green arrow)
Growth
Hormone
- Signals liver to
produce
somatomedin-C
- Peptide Hormone
- Somatomedin-C
imperative for physical
growth during
childhood growth
(muscular, skeletal)
DISEASES
Cushing’s Syndrome
– Body either produces or is exposed to too much cortisol
– Causes
• Oral corticosteroid medications
• Overproduction
• Pituitary gland tumor
– Benign
– Causes overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
– Symptoms
• Weight gain (usually around midsection, upper back, face and in between
shoulders
• Pink/purple stretch marks on abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms
• Easily bruised skin
• Slow healing of cuts, infections, and insect bites
• Acne
Cushing’s Syndrome
Acromegaly
– Bones increase in size due to the production of too much
growth hormone
– causes
• pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone
• tumors
– pituitary
– nonpituitary
» release growth-hormone-releasing-hormone
Acromegaly
– Symptoms
• enlarged hands/feet
• deepened voice
(enlargement of
sinuses/vocal cords)
• excessive sweating
• barrel chest
• snoring (upper airway
obstruction)
• enlarged organs
• enlarged facial features
• increase in oil production
Interesting Facts
• An ancient Egyptian portrait of pharaoh Akhenaten
showed a form of acromegaly
• Galen (150 A.D.) gave the first description of the
pituitary gland
– Stated that its function was to drain phlegm from
the brain to the nasopharnyx.
Concept Check
1. Cushing's Syndrome is caused by the overproduction of which hormone?
• a) growth hormone
• b) cortisol
• c) calcitonin
• d) insulin
Answer : B
2. The location of the pituitary gland is:
a) above the hypothalamus , middle of base of brain
b) below the hypothalamus, middle base of brain
c) abdominopelvic region
Answer: B
Concept Check
3. Prolactin is responsible for:
a) growth
b) stimulation of breast milk and menstrual cycle
c) signaling od adrenal gland to produce cortisol
Answer : B
4. What are the main functions of the pituitary gland?
• Linked to overall coordination of body’s organ system
• Location serves as important communication center
– Synchronizing brain w/ endocrine system
– “Master Endocrine gland”  hormones control most of the other
endocrine glands
Works Cited
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•
•
•
•
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"Acromegaly." N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2013.
""Girl Disappearing to Some Secret Prison, but She's Right in Front of Me."" :
National Cushing's Awareness Day! N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 7
Mar. 2013. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/>.
"Pituitary Gland." Pituitary Gland. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.bodyteen.com/anenpi.html>.
Shmaefsky, Brian R. Applied Anatomy & Physiology. St. Paul, MN: Paradign, 2007.
Print.
"What Is the Endocrine System?" What Is the Endocrine System? N.p., n.d. Web. 08
Mar. 2013. <http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/732>.
"What Is the Pituitary Gland?" What Is the Pituitary Gland? N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar.
2013. <http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/minc/skullbase/pituitary/index.html>.