Pituitary gland: Difference between revisions
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The pituitary gland, also known as the [[Hypophysis|hypophysis]], is an [[Endocrine gland|endocrine gland]] found at the base of the brain just below the [[Hypothalamus|hypothalamus]]. It is connected to the [[Hypothalamus|hypothalamus]] by the pituitary stalk which serves as a connection between the [[Nervous system|nervous]] and the [[Endocrine system|endocrine system]]. The pituitary gland consists of two lobes, the [[Anterior pituitary gland|anterior pituitary]] and the [[Posterior pituitary gland|posterior pituitary]] both of which release [[Hormones|hormones]] into the blood.<br> | |||
The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) consists of different endocrine tissue that synthesises and secretes six hormones which regulate homeostasis. The release of these hormones are regulated by the [[Hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones|hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones]] which are [[Neurohormone|neurohormones]] produced in the parvocellular neurones of the hypothalamus. The neurohormones drain into the primary capillary plexus and are transported down to the anterior pituitary via the hypophyseal portal vessels. <br> | |||
The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) doesn't actually produce any hormones itself, only stores and secretes the hormones produced by the hypothalamus. This is why the cell bodies of the neurones found in the posterior pituitary reside in the hypothalamus. The hormones are synthesised in the paraventicular nuclei and supraoptic nuclei of the magnocellular neurones. | |||
Revision as of 23:26, 9 January 2011
The pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is an endocrine gland found at the base of the brain just below the hypothalamus. It is connected to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk which serves as a connection between the nervous and the endocrine system. The pituitary gland consists of two lobes, the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary both of which release hormones into the blood.
The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) consists of different endocrine tissue that synthesises and secretes six hormones which regulate homeostasis. The release of these hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones which are neurohormones produced in the parvocellular neurones of the hypothalamus. The neurohormones drain into the primary capillary plexus and are transported down to the anterior pituitary via the hypophyseal portal vessels.
The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) doesn't actually produce any hormones itself, only stores and secretes the hormones produced by the hypothalamus. This is why the cell bodies of the neurones found in the posterior pituitary reside in the hypothalamus. The hormones are synthesised in the paraventicular nuclei and supraoptic nuclei of the magnocellular neurones.