Pituitary Gland Flashcards

Flashcards about the pituitary gland

What is the pituitary gland?

A small gland that dangles from the base of the brain like a pea on a string.

What is another name for the pituitary gland?

Hypophysis

What are the two main parts of the pituitary gland?

Anterior and posterior lobe

Where is the posterior pituitary gland located?

Beneath the base of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose, in the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone.

Where does the posterior pituitary take messages from?

A gland called the hypothalamus

What is the pituitary gland often referred to as?

Master gland

What condition is caused by insufficient secretion of vasopressin?

Diabetes insipidus

What condition is caused by over secretion of vasopressin?

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)

What is the anterior pituitary gland?

The front lobe of the pituitary gland located at the floor of the brain in the sella turcica.

What is another name for the anterior pituitary gland?

Adenohypophysis

What physiological processes does the anterior pituitary regulate?

Stress, growth, and reproduction

What does the anterior pituitary control?

Chemical and water balance, growth and metabolism, sexual behavior, and growth and maturation of the gonads.

What is the target tissue for GH (Growth Hormone)?

Most tissues

What is the target tissue for TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)?

Thyroid gland

What is the target tissue for ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)?

Adrenal cortex

What is the target tissue for Prolactin?

Breast

What is the target tissue for FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)?

Ovaries and testes

What is the target tissue for LH (Luteinizing Hormone)?

Ovaries and testes

What do thyrotropic cells secrete?

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

What do mammotropic cells secrete?

Prolactin (PRL)

What do corticotropic cells secrete?

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

What do somatotropic cells secrete?

Growth hormone (GH)

What do gonadotropic cells secrete?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

What do pars intermedia cells secrete?

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)