pituitary gland

Pituitary Gland

Pituitary gland is located in sella turcica of sphenoid bone.it is also called hypophysis.

Size; it is pea shape, size 1-1.5 cm in diameter.

Weight; approximately 0.5gm

Location; Pituitary gland is attached to bottom of hypothalamus by slender stalk, funnel shaped infundibulum.

Structure of Pituitary Gland

Pituitary gland composed of two structure;

1. Anterior pituitary

Also called Adenohypophysis.

Stress, growth, reproduction, lactation.

2. Posterior pituitary

Also called Neurohypophysis.

Functionally connected to hypothalamus.

Releasing and inhibiting hormones are produced by specialized neurons of Hypothalamus called neurosecretory cells.

Hormones are released into a capillary network or primary plexus and transported through hypophyseal portal vein to second capillary network or secondary plexus that supplies anterior pituitary.

Hormone the diffuse from secondary plexus into anterior pituitary where they initiate production of specific hormone by anterior pituitary.

Many hormones produced by anterior pituitary are tropic hormones (hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to secrete their hormones.