The Pituitary Gland Flashcards
What does the pituitary gland produce?
Hormones.
What is the primary function of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland?
To influence the release of hormones in other glands, in turn regulating many bodily functions.
What is the pituitary gland controlled by?
The hypothalamus.
Where is the hypothalamus found in the brain in relation to the pituitary gland?
Just above.
What is the pituitary gland nicknamed?
The ‘master gland’.
What is the process called in which there is a prevention of hormone levels rising too high?
Negative feedback.
What is negative feedback?
When high levels of hormones are produced in other endocrine glands and it stops the hypothalamus and pituitary gland from producing more of their hormones.
What are the two main parts of the pituitary gland?
The anterior pituitary.
The posterior pituitary.
Is the anterior pituitary the from to the back pituitary?
The front.
Is the posterior pituitary the from to the back pituitary?
The back.
What is the difference between the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary?
They release different hormones which target different parts of the body.
What is an example of a hormone released by the anterior pituitary?
ACTH as a response to stress.
It stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
What are two more examples of hormones produced by the anterior pituitary?
LH and FSH.
Stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.
What is an example of a hormone release by the posterior pituitary?
Oxytocin.
Stimulates contraction of the uterus during childbirth.
