the pituitary gland is located in a bony cavity called
sella tursica
adenohypophysis consists of
pars distalis and pars intermedia
pars distalis is the anterior pituitory
neurohypophysis (pars nervosa) is also called posterior pituitary
over-secretion of GH stimulates abnormal growth of the body leading to gigantism
under-secretion of GH results in stunted growth and pituitary dwarfism
excess secretion of GH in adults leads to severe disfigurement of face which results in acromegaly
prolactin regulates growth of mammary glands and formation of milk in them
TSH stimulates synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids
LH and FSH are called
gonadotrophins
in males, LH stimulates synthesis and secretion of androgens from testis
LH and interstitial cells both produce
androgens
in males, FSH and androgens regulate
spermatogenesis
in females, LH induces ovulation of fully mature follicles and maintains the corpus luteum after ovulation
in females, FSH stimulates the growth of the follicles
MSH is secreted by
parsintermedia
MSH acts on melanocytes and regulates pigmentation of skin
posterior pituitary stores and releases two hormones called
oxytocin and vasopressin
posterior pituitary hormones are actually synthesized by the
hypothalamus
oxytocin acts on smooth muscles and stimulate their contraction
oxytocin stimulates vigorous contraction of uterus at the time of childbirth AND ejection of milk from the mammary glands
vasopressin stimulates resorption of water and electrolytes from the the distal tubules of kidney and thereby reduces loss of water through urine
vasopressin prevents diuresis and thus also called ADH
impairment affecting ADH secretion results diminished ability of kidney to conserve water and results in water loss and dehydration. this condition is known as
diabetes insipidus
pineal gland is located on the
dorsal side of forebrain
melatonin maintains normal rhythm of sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, metabolism, pigmentation and menstrual cycle