pituitary gland summary

pituitary gland, or hypophysis, Endocrine gland lying on the underside of the brain that plays a major role in regulating the endocrine system. The anterior pituitary lobe secretes six hormones that play specific roles in stimulating production of cortisol and androgens by the adrenal cortex (corticotropin), growth of eggs and sperm (follicle-stimulating hormone), production of progesterone and testosterone (luteinizing hormone), linear growth in children and bone maintenance in adults (growth hormone), milk production (prolactin), and production of thyroid hormone (thyrotropin). The posterior lobe stores and releases two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, from nerve cells in specialized regions of the hypothalamus that control pituitary function. These hormones stimulate uterine contraction and milk secretion (oxytocin) and blood pressure and fluid balance (vasopressin).