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The pituitary gland or hypophysis is an endocrine gland in vertebrates. In humans , the pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain , protruding off the bottom of the hypothalamus . The human pituitary gland is oval shaped , about 1 cm in diameter, 0.5–1 gram (0.018–0.035 oz) in weight on average, and about the size of a kidney bean .
The pituitary gland (or hypophysis) is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 grams (0.018 oz) in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural fold (diaphragma sellae).
The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior) is a major organ of the endocrine system.The anterior pituitary is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the (posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis) which, in humans, is located at the base of the brain, protruding off the bottom of the hypothalamus.
Rathke's pouch is a sac-like structure that gives rise to the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. The cells of Rathke's pouch proliferate and differentiate into various hormone-producing cells, including Somatotrophs , Lactotrophs , Corticotrophs , Thyrotrophs , and Gonadotrophs .
The pituitary gland is divided into three lobes: the anterior pituitary, the intermediate pituitary lobe, and the posterior pituitary. The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary's hormone secretion by sending releasing factors, called tropic hormones , down the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal system. [ 3 ]
The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs located throughout the body. It is similar to the nervous system in that it plays a vital role in controlling and regulating many of the body's functions. Endocrine glands are ductless glands of the endocrine system that secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood.
[1] [10] [14] [15] The secretory organs include the subcommissural organ (SCO), the pituitary gland, the median eminence, and the pineal gland. [ 7 ] [ 11 ] These organs are responsible for secreting hormones and glycoproteins into the peripheral blood using feedback from both the brain environment and external stimuli.
The inferior hypophysial artery supplies the pituitary gland, [4] specifically the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). [5] It is important for distributing vasopressin into the bloodstream. [ 6 ]