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The Pituitary Gland

The Pituitary Gland

The pituitary is a small endocrine organ in the sphenoid bone under the hypothalamus. Primarily, the pituitary in adults has two distinct anatomical and functional regions— the anterior and posterior lobes. During human fetal development, a third pituitary gland region called the pars intermedia atrophies and disappears. However, some of its cells migrate and exist adjacent to the anterior pituitary in adults.

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Update in pituitary 2010.

Janet A Schlechte¹

¹Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. janet-schlechte@uiowa.edu

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

|January 7, 2011

Summary

This review covers recent advances in pituitary disease management, focusing on dopamine agonist safety in pregnancy and treatment outcomes for hyperprolactinemia and acromegaly.

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Pituitary Disorders
Pharmacology

Background:

The management of pituitary diseases requires continuous updates on evolving therapeutic strategies and safety profiles.
Recent literature highlights key areas of concern and progress in treating conditions like hyperprolactinemia and acromegaly.

Purpose of the Study:

To review significant advancements and emerging issues in pituitary disease management published between January 2009 and June 2010.
To provide an overview of critical updates for clinicians managing pituitary disorders.

Main Methods:

Literature review of papers published in major journals from January 2009 to June 2010.
Focus on specific topics including dopamine agonist use in pregnancy, treatment withdrawal, and mortality predictors.

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Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology

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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

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Published on: January 17, 2018

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Published on: November 16, 2017

Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology

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Main Results:

Cabergoline demonstrates safety during pregnancy for managing hyperprolactinemia.
Recurrence of hyperprolactinemia after dopamine agonist withdrawal is a notable concern.
Pegvisomant use is associated with potential hepatic dysfunction.
High-dose hydrocortisone predicts mortality in acromegaly patients.

Conclusions:

Ongoing research refines the understanding of safety and efficacy for pituitary disease treatments.
Clinicians must consider specific patient factors and emerging data for optimal management.
Further investigation is warranted for long-term outcomes and safety of various therapeutic agents.