Anterior pituitary gland

Anterior pituitary gland

The Anterior pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis, is an important part of the endocrine system. It is located in the brain, specifically in the sella turcica, a depression in the sphenoid bone. The anterior pituitary gland is responsible for the production and release of several hormones that regulate a wide range of bodily functions.

Structure

The anterior pituitary gland is one of the three lobes that make up the pituitary gland, the other two being the posterior pituitary and the intermediate lobe. The anterior pituitary is the largest of the three, accounting for about 75% of the total weight of the pituitary gland. It is composed of glandular tissue and is divided into three regions: the pars distalis, the pars tuberalis, and the pars intermedia.

Function

The anterior pituitary gland produces and secretes several hormones, including:

• Growth hormone (GH)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Prolactin (PRL)

These hormones regulate a variety of bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.

Regulation

The secretion of hormones by the anterior pituitary gland is regulated by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain located above the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones that travel to the anterior pituitary through a network of blood vessels known as the hypophyseal portal system.

Clinical significance

Dysfunction of the anterior pituitary gland can lead to a variety of disorders, including pituitary adenoma, hypopituitarism, and hyperpituitarism. These conditions can result in a wide range of symptoms, depending on which hormones are affected.

See also

• Posterior pituitary
• Hypothalamus
• Endocrine system
• Hormone