Where Is The Pituitary Gland Located?
Where Is The Pituitary Gland Located?
Where is the pituitary gland located?
The pituitary gland is located in the middle of the skull and is encased in a saddle-shaped box called the Sella Turcica.
Although the pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and the pituitary gland is often considered to be part of the brain.
However, the pituitary gland is a separate organ.
This separate organ, the pituitary gland is a protrusion off the bottom of the Hypothalamus.
The pituitary gland is located underneath the brain and behind the bridge of your nose.
The pituitary gland is about the size of a large pea and weighs approximately .5 grams.
The gland is situated in a tight space and any abnormal growth, compression or head drama can result in damage to the pituitary gland.
Pituitary Gland Lobes
The pituitary gland consists of two distinct lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.
The pituitary gland anterior lobe accounts for 80% of the pituitary gland’s weight.
Each portion of the of the pituitary gland has an essential function:
- The anterior lobe is located inside the pituitary gland. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland regulates stress, growth, lactation, and reproduction.
- The posterior lobe is the outside portion of the pituitary gland. The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland regulates kidney function and also plays a role in lactation.
The posterior lobe connects to the hypothalamus through a small tube called the pituitary stalk.
The hypothalamus controls the anterior lobe by releasing hormones through the connecting blood vessels. The hypothalamus is able to control the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland through nerve impulses.
The hypothalamus also connects with many other regions of the brain and is responsible for thirst, emotions, body temperature regulation, circadian rhythms and controlling hunger.
The pituitary gland releases numerous life vital hormones;
Hormones Produced By The Pituitary Gland
- Prolactin – Prolactin stimulates breast milk production after childbirth.
- Growth hormone (GH) – Growth Hormone stimulates growth in childhood and is important to maintain a healthy body composition.
- Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) – ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are kidney sized glands that rest on top of the kidneys. Cortisol is vital to our survival. Cortisol allows the body to maintain blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and our body releases higher amounts of cortisol when the body is under stress of injury or sickness.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate the body’s metabolism, energy balance, growth, and nervous system activity.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) – LH stimulates testosterone production in men and stimulates the egg release in women.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – FSH aids sperm production in men and stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and develop eggs in women.
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) – ADH, also called vasopressin. Vasopressin regulates water balance in the body.
- Oxytocin – Oxytocin causes milk production in women after childbirth. Oxytocin is also thought to help labor to progress. Low Oxytocin levels may make a person feel withdrawn.
I hoped this post help answers, “Where Is The Pituitary Gland Located?”
Resources:
https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-pituitary-gland
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/the-pituitary-gland/
You can read about my HypoGal journey with Sheehan’s Syndrome, HERE.
Here is a list of my pituitary gland medication.
You may find these weblinks helpful:
- What Is Sheehan’s Syndrome?
- What Are The Symptoms of Sheehan’s Syndrome?
- Diseases Caused By The Pituitary Gland
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