Question

Name the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland in humans.

Answer 1

The pituitary gland is located in a bony cavity called Sella tursica and is attached to the hypothalamus by a stalk. On the basis of anatomy, it is divided into an adenohypophysis and a neurohypophysis. Adenohypophysis contain two portions pars distalis and pars intermedia. The pars distalis region of pituitary known as anterior pituitary produces -

• Growth hormone (GH) which stimulates growth
• Prolactin (PRL) which regulates the growth of the mammary glands and formation of milk in them
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which stimulates the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which stimulate gonadal activity and called as gonadotrophins.

Pars intermedia secretes only one hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) which acts on melanocytes and regulates pigmentation of the skin. Neurohypophysis contain pars nervosa is known as posterior pituitary, stores, and releases two hormones oxytocin which acts on the smooth muscles of the body and stimulates their contraction and vasopressin which acts at kidney and stimulates resorption of water and electrolytes by the distal tubules and thereby reduces the loss of water through urine.