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Pituitary gland
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== Structure and Function == [[File:Pituitary-gland-lobes.jpg|thumb|Anatomical diagram of the pituitary gland, depicting the pituitary stalk connection with the hypothalamus.<br> Image: Modified from Grayβs Anatomy by [https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/37-5-endocrine-glands OpenStax (2018)] with minor cropping and color changes/filters by MEpedia. License: CC-BY-4.0.<ref name="37-5-Endocrine Glands">{{Cite book |vauthors= Clark MA, Douglas M, Choi J|publisher= OpenStax | title = Biology 2e|url=https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/1-introduction|location=Houston, Texas |chapter=37.5 Endocrine Glands |chapter-url=https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/37-5-endocrine-glands | date = Mar 28, 2018}}</ref>]] The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain, underneath the [[hypothalamus]]. It is surrounded by a protective bony cavity called the sella turcica. The pituitary is divided into three distinct lobes: posterior, anterior, and intermediate.<ref name="merck">{{Cite news | url=https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/pituitary-gland-disorders/overview-of-the-pituitary-gland | title = Overview of the Pituitary Gland - Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders|work=Merck Manuals Consumer Version|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref> === Posterior === [[File:Pituitary-posterior.jpg|thumb|Anatomical diagram of the posterior pituitary.<br> Image: [https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/17-3-the-pituitary-gland-and-hypothalamus The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus. Fig. 17.8 Posterior Pituitary]. License: CC-BY-4.0.<ref name="17-3-pituitary">{{Cite book | last=Betts | first = JG | authorlink = | last2 = Young | first2 = KA | authorlink2 = | last3 = Wise | first3 = JA | last4 = Johnson | first4 = E | last5 = Poe | first5 = B | last6 = Kruse | first6 = DH | last7 = Korol | first7 = O | last8 = Johnson | first8 = JE | last9 = Womble | first9 = M | last10 = DeSaix | first10 = P | date = Apr 25, 2013 | website = OpenStax|location=Houston, Texas|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= |chapter=17.3 The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus | title = Anatomy and Physiology | url=https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction |chapter-url=https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/17-3-the-pituitary-gland-and-hypothalamus |access-date=2021-11-09}}</ref>]] The posterior pituitary develops as an extension of the [[hypothalamus]] (distinct from the anterior pituitary). The posterior pituitary is largely made up of the terminals of nerve cells of the hypothalamus, as neurons in the hypothalamus project directly to the posterior pituitary. Hormones produced by the hypothalamus are stored in the terminals of hypothalamic neurons in the posterior pituitary, and are released by nerve excitation. The two major hormones stored and secreted by the posterior pituitary include: * [[Antidiuretic hormone]] (ADH, also known as vasopressin) * [[Oxytocin]]<ref name="NBK27">{{Cite book | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27/ | title = The pituitary gland | last = Nussey | first = Stephen | last2 = Whitehead | first2 = Saffron | date = 2001 |publisher=BIOS Scientific Publishers|language=en}}</ref> === Anterior === [[File:Pituitary-anterior.jpg|thumb|Anatomical diagram of the anterior pituitary.<br> Image: [https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/17-3-the-pituitary-gland-and-hypothalamus The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus. Fig. 17.9 Anterior Pituitary]. License: CC-BY-4.0.<ref name="17-3-pituitary"/>]] The anterior pituitary is structurally distinct from the posterior pituitary. It makes up 80% of the pituitary gland, and is made up of different types of endocrine cells. These cells are classified by the hormones they synthesize and release, and are regulated by the hypothalamus via releasing and inhibiting hormones. The six major hormones of the anterior pituitary are: * [[Growth hormone]] (GH) * [[Adrenocorticotropic hormone]] (ACTH) * [[Thyroid-stimulating hormone]] (TSH) * [[Follicular-stimulating hormone]] (FSH) * [[Luteinizing hormone]] (LH) * Prolactin<ref name="NBK27"/><ref name="merck"/> === Intermediate === The intermediate lobe is present in many lower vertebrates, but is almost absent in humans. The intermediate pituitary synthesizes and secretes: * [[Melanocyte-stimulating hormone]] (MSH)
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