Pituitary Gand- The Anterior Lobe. The pituitary gland is located just below the hypothalamus and is attached to it by a stalk called the infundibulum.

Infundibulum is composed of blood vessels, neurosecretory cells, and fibers.

The pituitary gland is divided into three lobes, anterior, median, and posterior.

This blog post will discuss the anterior lobe, which is also considered the master gland of the endocrine system.

Anterior Lobe Of Pituitary Gland

This lobe secretes six hormones, many of which regulate the secretion of other hormones.

Somatotrophic/Growth Hormone

It is released under the influence of the hypothalamic hormone growth hormone releasing factor and is inhibited by somatostatin.

The somatotropic hormone has a direct effect on growth and development.

It stimulates cell growth and cell division,

It also stimulates the uptake of amino acid and protein synthesis by cells.

Deficiency of this hormone leads to dwarfism which slows the development and results in the short stature.

Body parts stay in proportion and brain development and IQ is unaffected.

Over-secretion during childhood leads to gigantism where the bones are still capable of growth and the affected person grows abnormally in size.

Over-secretion during adulthood leads to acromegaly where bones are no longer capable of growing but continue to grow in thickness.

It is characterized by enlarged feet, enlarge hands, and an enlarged skull.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

This hormone regulates the endocrine functions of the thyroid gland.

It increases the number of cells and secretory activity of the thyroid gland.

Over-secretion of this hormone causes hypothyroidism meaning an excess of thyroxin is produced.

And its under-secretion causes hypothyroidism meaning thyroxin is not sufficient.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

This hormone is controlled by steroid levels in the blood and by direct nervous stimulation of the hypothalamus as a result of stress.

Stress in terms of cold, heat, pain, fright, infections, etc.

Adrenocorticotrophic acts on the adrenal gland and stimulates the production of cortisone and aldosterone.

Gonadotrophic Hormones

Pituitary Gand- The Anterior Lobe. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (the interstitial cell-stimulating hormone in males), and prolactin are all collectively known as gonadotrophic hormones.

These hormones act upon the reproductive system and regulate its functions.