PITUITARY GLAND Period 1 HAPRyan Mason, Jennifer Stern & Sachie Kakehi

Function Of Endocrine System  Function: A group of glands that secrete various hormones that produce/regulate/stimulate growth/development and reproduction  Importance: Without it—no development or changes in bodies and normal body functions disrupted

Anterior Pituitary Posterior Pituitary

Location

In Relation to Important Glands

Function  Nickname: Master Gland  Hormones influence: growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function  Directs organs and endocrine glands to suppress or induce hormone production  Production of hormones that act on other endocrine glands, the muscles, and the kidneys  Storage of hormones produced by the hypothalamus

Function “Master Gland”

Hormones the Gland in responsible For  Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)  Oxytocin  Vasopressin  Numerous Sex Hormones  The Pituitary gland is also responsible for producing hormones that aid in growth, maturation, and sex characteristics

 Thyroid stimulating hormone Stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroxin, by binding to the G-protein-coupled receptors on the surface of the thyroid cells

 Vasopressin Collects in the kidneys to stimulate reabsorption of water into the blood. Acts to reduce the volume of urine formed “antidiuretic hormone” (ADH)

 Oxytocin Acts on some smooth muscle Stimulates the contractions of the uterus at birth Stimulates the release of milk in mothers Enhances bonding of males and females, mother and newborn, increases trust

Diseases -Acromegaly  Hormonal disorder that develops when pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood  Causes  Growth Hormone produces too much Insulin-like growth factor-I  Symptoms  Bone increases size, Coarse oily thickened skin, Headaches, impaired vision, fatigue and muscle weakness  Treatment  Surgery, medication, radiation (reduce GH levels)

Diseases –Pituitary Tumor  Tumors in your pituitary gland that can higher or lower the production of hormones  Causes  Unknown  Symptoms  Headaches, vision loss, nausea & vomiting, weakness, less frequent/ no menstrual periods, body hair loss, sexual dysfunction, increased urination, unintended weight loss/ gain  Treatment  Various options surgery

Interesting Facts! Did you know???  The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea  Richard Kiel who played in one of the James Bond movies had Acromegaly  Once acromegaly is treated with surgery, your feet, hand and face may shrink a little but your body will not go back to the regular size

Citations  Human Hormone. N.p., 19 Apr Web. 10 Mar  Mayo Clinic Staff. "Acromegaly." Mayo Clinic. N.p., 5 Feb Web. 10 Mar  "Pituitary Tumors." Mayo Clinic. N.p., 14 Nov Web. 10 Mar  "Pituitary Functions & Hormones." UCLA. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar  The Pituitary Gland. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar  Shmaefsky, Brian R. Applied Anatomy & Physiology A Case Study Approach. N.p.: Paradigm, Print.

Citations Pictures         othal.htm othal.htm  

Concept Checks 1. Which two portions are the pituitary gland split in? A. Anterior and posterior B. Medial and Lateral C. Up and Down 2. Which hormone reduces the volume of urine formed? A. Thyroid Stimulating hormone B. Oxytocin C. Vasopressin 3. Which disease produces too much growth hormone during adulthood? A. Acromegaly B. Hypopituaritism C. Pituitary Tumor 4. Why is the Pituitary Gland called the Master Gland? It is because the pituitary gland produces many numerous hormones which control most of the other endocrine glands.