Pituitary Gland

• Growth hormone fosters growth in a variety of body tissues.
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, thyroxine.
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete its corticoids.
• Prolactin is responsible for milk production by the female mammary glands.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) spurs maturation of seminiferous tubules in males and causes maturation of ovaries in females.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) induces interstitial cells of the testes to mature by beginning to secrete the male sex hormone testosterone. In females, a surge of LH stimulates ovulation of the primary oocyte from the follicle. LH then induces changes in the follicular cells and converts the old follicle into a yellowish mass of cells rich in blood vessels. This new structure is the corpus luteum, which subsequently secretes progesterone and estrogen.

This animation (Audio - Important) describes the anterior pituitary.

The posterior pituitary is a direct extension of nervous tissue from the hypothalamus. Nerve signals cause direct hormone release. The two hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are ADH and oxytocin.

• ADH acts on the kidney to reduce water loss.
• Oxytocin acts on the uterus during birth to cause uterine contraction.

This animation (Audio - Important) describes the posterior pituitary.

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