Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland (lat. Glands pituitaries, g. pituitaria) is an endocrine gland located in the human brain and is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate growth, development, metabolism and other processes in the body.

The pituitary gland consists of two lobes - anterior and posterior, each of which has its own function. The anterior lobe produces growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteotropic and follicle-stimulating hormones, as well as prolactin. The posterior lobe secretes growth-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin), melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Hormones produced by the pituitary gland are involved in the regulation of many processes in the body, including tissue growth and development, metabolism, puberty, cycle regulation, etc. Disruption of the gland can lead to various diseases, such as pituitary dwarfism (dwarfism), acromegaly ( enlargement of limbs and face), hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function), etc.

In medicine, various methods are used to treat diseases associated with the pituitary gland, including drug therapy, surgery and radiation therapy. In some cases, a transplant of the gland or part of it may be necessary to restore normal functioning of the body.