pituitary gland

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pituitary gland anatomy

left cerebral hemisphere of the human brain

gonadotroph cell

hormones of the pituitary gland

pituitary gland

neurosecretory cell

human reproductive system

Major glands of the human endocrine system. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland and influences food intake, weight regulation, fluid intake and balance, thirst, body heat, and the sleep cycle. Pituitary hormones stimulate growth, egg and sperm development, milk secretion, and release of hormones by other glands. The pineal gland may play a significant role in sexual maturation and the circadian rhythm. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolic rate of tissues, stimulate the contraction of heart muscle, and are necessary for normal growth and brain development before birth and during infancy. Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The adrenal glands regulate salt and water retention, some reactions of the immune system, and blood pressure. The islets of Langerhans regulate blood sugar levels. The ovaries and testes produce hormones that regulate the reproductive system and that produce male and female secondary sex characteristics.

The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.

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pituitary gland: Facts & Related Content

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News •

Rare hormonal condition keeps 41-year-old looking forever young • Feb. 24, 2025, 12:22 AM ET (Straits Times)

Immune cells in pituitary gland help balance hormones, researchers discover • Feb. 18, 2025, 7:21 AM ET (Medical Xpress)

Facts

Also Known As	hypophysis cerebri • hypophysis

Photos and Videos

pituitary gland anatomy

left cerebral hemisphere of the human brain

gonadotroph cell

hormones of the pituitary gland

pituitary gland

neurosecretory cell

human reproductive system

Major glands of the human endocrine system. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland and influences food intake, weight regulation, fluid intake and balance, thirst, body heat, and the sleep cycle. Pituitary hormones stimulate growth, egg and sperm development, milk secretion, and release of hormones by other glands. The pineal gland may play a significant role in sexual maturation and the circadian rhythm. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolic rate of tissues, stimulate the contraction of heart muscle, and are necessary for normal growth and brain development before birth and during infancy. Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The adrenal glands regulate salt and water retention, some reactions of the immune system, and blood pressure. The islets of Langerhans regulate blood sugar levels. The ovaries and testes produce hormones that regulate the reproductive system and that produce male and female secondary sex characteristics.

The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.

Ependymal cells called tanycytes have long processes that extend from the third ventricle to neurons and capillaries in nearby parts of the brain, including the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

Learn the importance of the ten glands of the human endocrine system

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Topics

posterior pituitary lobe anterior pituitary lobe somatotroph median eminence lactotroph gonadotroph pars intermedia pars distalis growth hormone prolactin ovary thyroid gland adrenal gland pancreas hypothalamus testis pineal gland thymus parathyroid gland kidney

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