Why pituitary gland is called master gland

Having an overactive pituitary gland is called hyperpituitarism. Noncancerous (benign) tumors usually cause this condition by making the gland produce too much or too little of the hormones that control growth, reproduction and metabolism. The hormonal changes cause a range of different disorders, from gigantism in children to hyperthyroidism in adults. Overview What is hyperpituitarism (overactive pituitary gland)? When your What does the pituitary gland do? The pituitary gland plays a major role in controlling how your body works. It’s a pea-sized, cherry-shaped endocrine gland located near the base of your brain. Endocrine glands release (secrete) Think of your pituitary gland like a thermostat. The thermostat performs constant temperature checks in your home to keep you comfortable. It sends signals to your heating and cooling systems to turn up or down — and by how many degrees — to keep air temperatures constant. Your pituitary gland monitors your body functions in much the same way. Your pituitary gland sends signals to your organs and glands to tell them what functions are needed and when. The right settings for your body depend upon many things, including your sex, weight distribution and how active you are. Blood vessels connect your pituitary gland to a part of your brain called the Your pituitary gland consists of three parts: the anterior, intermediate and posterior lobes. Anterior lobe Your • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) : This hormone causes your adren...

• Home • About Us • Services • Continuous Glucose Monitoring • Diabetes Education • Insulin Pump Management • Medical Weight Loss • Osteoporosis/Bone Mineral Disorders • Pituitary Gland Disorders • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome • Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders • Testimonials • Blogs • FAQs • Request An Appointment The pituitary gland is the master gland because it controls other bodily glands. It plays a role in reproduction and releasing hormones from other glands (such as the thyroid and adrenal). This means that when something goes wrong with your pituitary gland, it can simultaneously affect many other body systems. Anatomy of the pituitary gland The pituitary gland is a small-sized structure connecting your hypothalamus and the brain stem. It produces hormones that control growth, metabolism, thyroid function, and sexual development. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland makes up about 80% of its volume and produces six hormones: • • Luteinizing hormone (LH) • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) • Growth hormone (GH) • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) • Prolactin (PRL) Can you live without a pituitary gland? The pituitary gland is essential to life. It’s the master gland, and without it, you would die. The pituitary gland is located in the brain’s center behind your nose. The size of a pea makes many hormones that control other glands in your body. These include your thyroid and adrenal glands (which make stress hormones). These hormones help manage growth, appeti...

The pituitary gland is a part of your endocrine system. Its main function is to secrete hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones can affect other organs and glands, especially your: • thyroid • reproductive organs • The pituitary gland is sometimes called the master gland because it’s involved in so many processes. The pituitary gland is small and oval-shaped. It’s located behind your nose, near the underside of your brain. It’s attached to the The hypothalamus is a small area of your brain. It’s very important in controlling the balance of your bodily functions. It controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland can be divided into two different parts: the anterior and posterior lobes. Anterior lobe The anterior lobe of your pituitary gland is made up of several different types of cells that produce and release different types of hormones, including: • Growth hormone. • Thyroid-stimulating hormone. • Adrenocorticotropic hormone. • Follicle-stimulating hormone. • Luteinizing hormone. • Prolactin. • Endorphins. • Enkephalins. Enkephalins are closely related to endorphins and have similar pain-relieving effects. • Beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. This hormone helps to stimulate increased pigmentation of your skin in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Posterior lobe The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland also secretes hormones. These hormones are usually produced in your hypothalamus and stored in the posterior lobe unti...

Human endocrine system Hormones and nerves A hormone is a chemical substance, produced by a gland and carried in the bloodstream, which alters the activity of specific target organs . An example of this is the release of the hormone adrenaline, which is released by the adrenal gland. One of its target organs is the heart, where it increases the heart rate. Once a hormone has been used, it is destroyed by the liver. Hormones can control the body, and the effects are much slower than the nervous system, but they last for longer. There are important differences between nervous and hormonal control . Nervous Hormonal Type of signal Electrical (chemical at synapses) Chemical Transmission of signal By nerve cells (neurones) By the bloodstream Effectors Muscles or glands Target cells in particular tissues Type of response Muscle contraction or secretion Chemical change Speed of response Very rapid Slower Duration of response Short (until nerve impulses stop) Long (until hormone is broken down) Pituitary gland The pituitary gland in the brain is known as a 'master gland'. It secretes several hormones into the blood in response to the body's condition, such as blood water levels. These hormones can also act on other glands to stimulate the release of different types of hormones and bring about effects. Different hormones The body produces a range of different chemical hormones that travel in the bloodstream and affect a number of different organs or cells in the body. The diagram b...

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Why is the pituitary gland called the master gland? The Pituitary Gland is at the anatomical and functional crossroads of the brain, mind and body. Weighing less than one gram and measuring a centimeter in width, the pituitary is often called the “master gland” since it regulates the secretion of thebody’s hormones. These substances when released by the pituitary into the bloodstream have a dramatic and broad range of effects on growth and development, sexuality and reproductive function, metabolism, the response to stress and overall quality of life. Pituitary gland anatomy and function This small, bean-shaped gland is located below the brain in the skull base, in an area called the sella turcica. The pituitary gland is regulated by a brain region called the hypothalamus which is connected to the pituitary gland by a thin delicate vascular connection called the pituitary stalk or infundibulum. The pituitary is divided into a larger anterior region (adenohypophysis) and smaller posterior region (neurohypophysis). Directly above the pituitary are the optic nerves and the optic chiasm as they project to the eyes. On each side of the pituitary is the cavernous sinus which is a venous channel through which runs the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain, and important nerves that control eye movements and facial sensation. Because of the proximity of the pituitary to these major intracranial nerves and blood vessels, and the vital hormonal control the pituitary provide...