Pituitary Gland (Posterior & Anterior)

By Jenny Huh, Sam Sender, and Sahani DeSilvaPeriod 2 H.A.P.

Endocrine System Overview• Influences almost every cell, organ, & function of bodies• Regulates mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism,

and sexual function & reproductive processes • Composed of distinct glands that produce hormones • 2 specific types of glands:

– Exocrine• Secretions deposited into body cavity through ducts

– Endocrine• Secretions sent directly into bloodstream

Pituitary Gland (Posterior & Anterior)

Location of Pituitary Gland

• Located middle of base of brain, beneath hypothalamus

• Anterior forward region

• Posterior rear region

Role & Function • “Master Endocrine gland” hormones control most of the other

endocrine glands • Linked to overall coordination of body’s organ system • Location serves as important communication center

– Synchronizing brain w/ endocrine system • Anterior:

– Controlled by releasing hormones • Produced by nerve cells of hypothalamus• Secreted in capillaries that travel to anterior pituitary

• Posterior:– Controlled by nerve cells

• Carry info from brain to posteriorhttp://www.pennmedicine.org/encyclopedia/em_DisplayAnimation.aspx?gcid=000099&ptid=17

Hormones Associated with Gland• Prolactin• ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone• Growth Hormone

ProlactinStimulates breast milk and controls the menstrual cycle

(red arrow)

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Signals adrenal gland to produce cortisol- cortisol type of

glucocorticosteriod responsible for stress-fighting and anti- inflammatory responses

(Green arrow)

Growth Hormone- Signals liver to produce somatomedin-C- Peptide Hormone- Somatomedin-C imperative for physical growth during childhood growth (muscular, skeletal)

DISEASES

Cushing’s Syndrome

– Body either produces or is exposed to too much cortisol– Causes

• Oral corticosteroid medications• Overproduction • Pituitary gland tumor

– Benign– Causes overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

– Symptoms• Weight gain (usually around midsection, upper back, face and in between

shoulders• Pink/purple stretch marks on abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms• Easily bruised skin• Slow healing of cuts, infections, and insect bites• Acne

Cushing’s Syndrome

Acromegaly– Bones increase in size due to the production of too much

growth hormone – causes• pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone• tumors– pituitary– nonpituitary» release growth-hormone-releasing-hormone

Acromegaly– Symptoms

• enlarged hands/feet• deepened voice

(enlargement of sinuses/vocal cords)

• excessive sweating• barrel chest• snoring (upper airway

obstruction)• enlarged organs• enlarged facial features• increase in oil production

Interesting Facts

• An ancient Egyptian portrait of pharaoh Akhenaten showed a form of acromegaly

• Galen (150 A.D.) gave the first description of the pituitary gland– Stated that its function was to drain phlegm from

the brain to the nasopharnyx.

Concept Check1. Cushing's Syndrome is caused by the overproduction of which hormone?• a) growth hormone• b) cortisol• c) calcitonin• d) insulinAnswer : B2. The location of the pituitary gland is: a) above the hypothalamus , middle of base of brain b) below the hypothalamus, middle base of brain c) abdominopelvic regionAnswer: B

Concept Check 3. Prolactin is responsible for: a) growth b) stimulation of breast milk and menstrual cycle c) signaling od adrenal gland to produce cortisolAnswer : B4. What are the main functions of the pituitary gland?

• Linked to overall coordination of body’s organ system • Location serves as important communication center

– Synchronizing brain w/ endocrine system – “Master Endocrine gland” hormones control most of the other

endocrine glands

Works Cited• "Acromegaly." N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2013. • ""Girl Disappearing to Some Secret Prison, but She's Right in Front of Me."" :

National Cushing's Awareness Day! N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. • Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 7

Mar. 2013. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/>. • "Pituitary Gland." Pituitary Gland. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2013.

<http://www.bodyteen.com/anenpi.html>. • Shmaefsky, Brian R. Applied Anatomy & Physiology. St. Paul, MN: Paradign, 2007.

Print. • "What Is the Endocrine System?" What Is the Endocrine System? N.p., n.d. Web. 08

Mar. 2013. <http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/732>. • "What Is the Pituitary Gland?" What Is the Pituitary Gland? N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar.

2013. <http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/minc/skullbase/pituitary/index.html>.