What is secreted by the anterior pituitary

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Davis AT Collection. Davis PT Collection. Murtagh Collection. About Search. Search Search. You and Your Hormones. Students Teachers Patients Browse. Human body. Home Glands Pituitary gland. Pituitary gland The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing. It is referred to as the body's 'master gland' because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands.

Alternative names Hypophysis Where is my pituitary gland? Related Endocrine Conditions. Donate now on our JustGiving page.

Hormones are chemicals which circulate in the blood stream and spread around the body to carry messages or signals to different parts of the body.

The name hormone comes from the Greek word hormao meaning "I excite" and refers to the fact that each hormone excites or stimulates a particular part of the body known as the target gland. Hormones are made in endocrine glands and passed from the cells of the gland directly into the blood flowing through the gland. Generally, the higher the amount of hormone that is in the blood, the greater the effect its the targets.

The two sections of the pituitary gland produce a number of different hormones which act on different target glands or cells. The secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary is controlled by the production of hormones by the hypothalamus.

Although there are a number of different hormones they can be split into two main types:. The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are produced in the hypothalamus and then passed down a tube between the hypothalamus and the pituitary the pituitary stalk when they are then secreted into the blood.

In total more than hormones or hormone-like substances have been discovered. In addition to the hormones listed in the table above, five of these hormones are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary.

For more information about glands and hormones, as well as educational resources, visit the Society for Endocrinology's 'You and Your Hormones' website. Information is vital for pituitary patients and we can't do this without you.

Its function is poorly understood. Pars intermedia: This is the intermediate part that sits between the pars distalis and the posterior pituitary and is often very small in humans. The effects of ACTH are upon secretion of glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoids, and sex corticoids. Beta-endorphin is a polypeptide that effects the opioid receptor, whose effects include the inhibition of the perception of pain.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that affects the thyroid gland and the secretion of thyroid hormones. Follicle-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that targets the gonads and effects the growth of the reproductive system. Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that targets the gonads to effect sex-hormone production.