Question

Explain the term pituitary gland and its function.

Answer 1

Pituitary gland:

1. It is an endocrine gland that is situated at the base of the skull.
2. It secretes various hormones which are responsible for various functions in the body.

Anterior pituitary

1. Secretes hormones like the Human Growth hormone, the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the ACTH, the Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), the luteinizing hormone(LSH), prolactin, and the melanocyte-stimulating hormone(MSH).
2. Human growth hormone is responsible for the growth of an individual, hypersecretion causes Gigantism and Acromegaly whereas hyposecretion causes Dwarfism.
3. TSH is responsible for the stimulation of the thyroid gland for the release of thyroxine.
4. ACTH or the Adrenocorticotropic hormone responsible for stimulation of the adrenal gland for the release of cortisol or adrenaline.
5. FSH and LH are responsible for sexual characteristics in males and females.
6. MSH is responsible for melanin production.

Posterior pituitary

1. It secretes ADH or the Anti-diuretic hormone and Oxytocin.
2. Oxytocin is responsible for the contraction of the uterus during childbirth and the production of milk.
3. ADH or vasopressin maintains the water balance of the body, by reabsorbing water through the kidneys.