the Pituitary Gland

Pituitary gland

The ______ is located in a bony cavity called sella tursica and is attached to hypothalamus by a stalk.

Adenohypophysis

The pituitary gland is divided anatomically into an ______ and a neurohypophysis.

Pars distalis

Adenohypophysis consists of two portions, ______ and pars intermedia.

Anterior pituitary

The pars distalis region of the pituitary, commonly called ______, produces growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Pars intermedia secretes only one hormone called ______ hormone (MSH).

melanocytestimulating hormone

In humans, the pars intermedia is almost merged with ______.

pars distalis.

Neurohypophysis (pars nervosa) also known as posterior pituitary, stores and releases two hormones called ______ and vasopressin.

oxytocin

______ are actually synthesized by the hypothalamus and are transported axonally to neurohypophysis.

vasopressin

Over-secretion of GH stimulates abnormal growth of the body leading to ______.

gigantism

Low secretion of GH results in stunted growth resulting in ______.

pituitary dwarfism.

Acromegaly

Excess secretion of growth hormone in adults, especially in middle age, can result in severe disfigurement (especially of the face) called __________, which may lead to serious complications and premature death if unchecked.

Prolactin

__________ regulates the growth of the mammary glands and formation of milk in them.

TSH

__________ stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland.

ACTH

__________ stimulates the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex.

LH and FSH

__________ stimulate gonadal activity and hence are called gonadotrophins.

LH

In males, ____ stimulates the synthesis and secretion of hormones called androgens from testis.

Androgens

In males, FSH and ____ regulate spermatogenesis.

FSH

In females, ____ stimulates growth and development of the ovarian follicles.

Ovulation

In females, LH induces ____ of fully mature follicles (graafian follicles) and maintains the corpus luteum.

Corpus luteum

In females, LH maintains the ____ formed from the remnants of the graafian follicles.

Oxytocin

______ acts on the smooth muscles of our body and stimulates their contraction.

Uterus

In females, oxytocin stimulates a vigorous contraction of ______ at the time of childbirth.

Vasopressin

______ acts mainly at the kidney and stimulates resorption of water and electrolytes.

Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)

Vasopressin is also called ______.

Diabetes Insipidus

An impairment affecting synthesis or release of ADH results in a diminished ability of the kidney to conserve water, leading to water loss and dehydration, a condition known as ______.