AQA Psychology (A-Level) - Bio - Endocrine System - Pituitary Gland

Parts of the pituitary gland

Anterior (front) and posterior (back). Release different hormones that target different parts of the body.

Produces...

Hormones whose primary function is to influence the release of hormones from other glands, and in so doing regulate many of the body's functions

Controlled by...

Hypothalamus, a region of the brain just above the pituitary gland.

Anterior pituitary gland

Produces adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) as a response to stress. This stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Also produces two other hormones important in the control of reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics: Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In females, these hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone; in males, stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.

Posterior pituitary gland

Secretes oxytocin (stimulates the contraction of the uterus in childbirth and is important for mother-infant bonding). Research by Elabd et al. in 2014 found using mice has found that oxytocin is indispensable for healthy maintenance and repair, and that it declines with age.

As the "master gland"...

The pituitary produces hormones that travel in the bloodstream to their specific target. These hormones either directly cause changes in physiological processes in the body or stimulate other glands to produce other hormones. High levels of hormones produced in other endocrine glands can stop the hypothalamus and the pituitary releasing more of their own hormones to stop hormone levels from rising too high.