Pituitary Gland

• The hypothalamus is the section of the brain that links the nervous and endocrine systems to maintain homeostasis
• The hypothalamus receives information from nerves throughout the body and other parts of the brain and initiates endocrine responses
• The hypothalamus secretes neurochemicals (releasing factors) into a portal system targeting the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
• The hypothalamus also secretes hormones directly into the blood via neurosecretory cells that extend into the posterior pituitary lobe
• The pituitary gland lies adjacent to the hypothalamus and consists of two lobes: anterior and posterior lobe
• The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also called the adenohypophysis
• The hypothalamus produces releasing factors that are released into portal vessels by neurosecretory cells, causing endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary to release specific hormones into the bloodstream
• An example of a releasing factor is GnRH, which triggers the release of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary
• The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also called the neurohypophysis
• The posterior lobe releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus itself via neurosecretory cells that extend into the posterior lobe from the hypothalamus
• Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland control growth, developmental changes, reproduction, and homeostasis
• The pituitary gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' as it controls the secretion of other endocrine glands
• Pituitary hormones target endocrine glands in other organs, controlling vital body processes like metabolism, adult development, reproduction, growth, and equilibrium/homeostasis
• Mnemonic: MARGE (Metabolism, Adult Development, Reproduction, Growth, Equilibrium/Homeostasis)