The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain beneath the hypothalamus and is no larger than a pea. It is often considered the most important part of the endocrine system because it produces hormones that control many functions of other endocrine glands. When the pituitary gland does not produce one or more of its hormones or not enough of them, it is called hypopituitarism.
The pituitary gland is divided into two parts:
the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are regulated by the hypothalamus:
#Growth_hormone: Stimulates growth of bone and tissue (Growth hormone deficiency results in growth failure. Growth hormone deficiency in adults results in problems in maintaining proper amounts of body fat and muscle and bone mass. It is also involved in emotional well-being.)
#Thyroid_stimulating_hormone (TSH): Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (A lack of thyroid hormones either because of a defect in the pituitary or the thyroid itself is called hypothyroidism.)
#Adrenocorticotropin_hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce several related steroid hormones
#Luteinizing_hormone (LH) and
#follicle_stimulating_hormone (FSH): Hormones that control sexual function and production of the sex steroids, estrogen and progesterone in females or testosterone in malesProlactin: Hormone that stimulates milk production in females
The posterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are not regulated by the hypothalamus:
#Antidiuretic_hormone_(vasopressin): Controls water loss by the kidneys #Oxytocin: Contracts the uterus during childbirth and stimulates milk production
The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are actually produced in the brain and carried to the pituitary gland through nerves. They are stored in the pituitary gland.