Pituitary Gland: Major Organ Systems Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 592 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

Organ Systems: The Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland, according to Davies (2007), "is a pea-sized endocrine gland at the base of the brain," linked to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum. It is divided into several parts; i.e. The anterior lobe (front part) and the posterior lobe (back part). The anterior lobe secretes seven hormones that are essentially responsible for the regulation of a number of activities that take place in the human body - from reproduction to growth. Of the seven, five are tropic hormones (induce other glands to secrete hormones). The pituitary gland secretes only two hormones. The targets and effects of the nine are presented in the table below.

The Anterior Pituitary

Tropic Hormones

Hormone

Target

Function

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Adrenal glands

Involved in the stimulation of the cortex of the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as metabolism.

Stuck Writing Your "Pituitary Gland: Major Organ Systems" Essay?

View All Our Example Pituitary Gland: Major Organ Systems Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

It is an anti-inflammatory agent, helping the body in stress resistance, such as that resulting from fasting and bleeding. Aldosterone is the principal regulator of the water-salt balance in the body, although it also has some effect on the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats

Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Ovaries in women; testes in men

Stimulation of the ovaries to develop, and produce the ovum; also stimulates the sex glands to secrete the hormones progesterone and estrogen, responsible for ovulation and the maintenance of pregnancy respectively.

In males, FSH stimulates cells in the testes to produce sperms

Growth Hormone (GH)

(Somatrophin)

Many different cells

Stimulates cell growth, and regulates the production, and release of the hormone somatomedin from the liver. In children, increase in height is the most significant effect of the growth hormone. The GH regulates the amount of fat and muscle,….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Pituitary Gland Major Organ Systems" (2014, June 22) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pituitary-gland-major-organ-systems-190039

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Pituitary Gland Major Organ Systems" 22 June 2014. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pituitary-gland-major-organ-systems-190039>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Pituitary Gland Major Organ Systems", 22 June 2014, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pituitary-gland-major-organ-systems-190039
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example