Question

Why do we call pituitary gland as the master gland? Where is it located and what are
its functions?​

Answer 1

PITUITARY GLAND:

Pituitary gland is called the master gland because it controls the secretions of other glands through its hormones.

LOCATION:

• Pituitary gland is located in the cranial region of head.

• Pituitary gland is attached to the sella tursica, a depression in the sphenoid bone.

• Pituitary gland is attached to hypothalamus via a narrow stalk called infundibulum.

FUNCTIONS:

• Pituitary gland controls the secretion of other glands.

• Pituitary gland is also called hypophysis.

• It divided into three regions namely, adenohypophysis or anterior pituitary or pars distalis, neurohypophysis or posterior pituitary or pars nervosa and pars intermedia.

• In humans , pars intermedia is almost merged with pars distalis.

• Pars intermedia secretes a hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). It is responsible for pigmentation of skin.

• The hormones secreted by hypothalamus are stored and released by posterior pituitary.

• Posterior pituitary is under direct control of hypothalamus. It stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin or anti diuretic hormone (ADH).

• Oxytocin causes the contraction of smooth muscles of uterus and helps in parturition. Hence it is called child birth hormone.

• ADH prevents diuresis and dehydration of the body.

• Anterior pituitary secretes six hormones namely growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adreno cotico trophic hormone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenising or interstistial cell stimulating hormone.

• Growth hormone or GH or somatotropin is responsible for normal growth of body.

• Thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH acts on thyroid gland and stimulates the secretion of thyroxine.

• Adreno cortico trophic hormone or ACTH acts on adrenal cortex to stimulate the secretion of corticoids.

• Prolactin acts on mammary gland to secrete milk in lactating women and hence called lacteotrophic hormone or LTH.

• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenising hormone (LH) or interstistial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) are called gonadal hormone, since they act on gonads.