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Related Concept Videos

The Pituitary Gland01:17

The Pituitary Gland

8.2K
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.
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Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

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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.
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Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

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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...
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Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

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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...
7.9K
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

142
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
142
Regulation of Hormone Secretion01:19

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

5.0K
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology
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COVID-19 and the pituitary.

Stefano Frara1, Agnese Allora1, Laura Castellino1

  • 1Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, San Raffaele Vita-Salute University and IRCC Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.

Pituitary
|May 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary

COVID-19 can cause endocrine issues, potentially affecting the pituitary gland. Patients with pituitary diseases or related conditions like diabetes face higher risks, necessitating continued care and research.

Keywords:
AcromegalyCOVID-19Cushing diseaseHyponatremiaHypopituitarismPituitary apoplexySIADH

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Virology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • COVID-19, initially seen as a respiratory illness, presents significant endocrine manifestations impacting disease severity.
  • The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters cells via the ACE2 receptor, which is expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary.
  • Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and vertebral fractures, common in pituitary dysfunction, are linked to poorer COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review COVID-19's endocrine effects and their implications for pituitary diseases.
  • To examine the pituitary gland's direct and indirect involvement in COVID-19.
  • To assess COVID-19's impact on managing existing pituitary diseases and neurosurgical activities.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of endocrine manifestations of COVID-19.
  • Analysis of pituitary gland involvement in COVID-19 pathophysiology.
  • Evaluation of management strategies for pituitary patients during the pandemic.

Main Results:

  • A distinct endocrine phenotype is emerging for COVID-19, potentially involving the pituitary gland.
  • Pituitary diseases (e.g., hypopituitarism, Cushing disease) and comorbidities like diabetes are risk factors for severe COVID-19.
  • Continued management of pituitary diseases is crucial despite pandemic-related restrictions.

Conclusions:

  • The pituitary gland may be specifically involved in the endocrine aspects of COVID-19.
  • Urgent international collaboration is needed to gather data on pituitary involvement in COVID-19.
  • Evidence-based recommendations are required for managing pituitary patients during the ongoing pandemic.