Chemical Coordination and Integration

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2. PÏTÜÏTÅRÝ GLÅÑD

Smallest

endocrine

gland

It is attached to

hypothalamus by

a stalk.

It is located in a

bony cavity called

sella tursica.

It is divided

into anterior

adenohypophysis

& posterior

neurohypophysis.

Posterior

pituitary

Neurosecretory

cells of the

hypothalamus

Neurohormone

Anterior pituitary

Hypothalamus

Axons

Å. ÅDËÑØHÝPØPHÝSÏS



It has 2 parts: Pars distalis and Pars intermedia

Pars distalis (Anterior pituitary) : It produces

1.

Somatotropin (Growth hormone, GH): For body growth.

01

Over-secretion of GH causes gigantism (abnormal

growth). Hyposecretion of GH causes dwarfism

(stunted growth).

Over-secretion of GH in adults (mainly in middle age)

causes acromegaly (severe disfigurement especially

of face) (NEET 2019). It leads to serious complications

and premature death. Early diagnosis of the disease is

difficult. It may be undetected for many years.

02

2.

Prolactin (PRL): Regulates growth of mammary glands and milk

production.

3.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): Stimulates secretion of thyroid

hormones from thyroid gland

4.

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the synthesis and

secretion of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids) from the adrenal cortex.

5.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH):



Stimulates gonadal activity. In males, FSH & androgens regulate

spermatogenesis.

In

females,

FSH

stimulates

growth

and

development of ovarian follicles.