Pituitary gland

About the size of a small pea, the pituitary gland, also known as “the master gland,” plays a crucial role in regulating hormone production from most of the other glands in the body. This being the case, it’s essential to numerous functions as well as overall health. Sitting in the brain between its Ariel Skelley / Getty Images Anatomy Structure The pea-sized pituitary gland is composed of both anterior and posterior lobes; in adults, the vertical diameter is approximately 8mm, with the horizontal circumference found to be 12 millimeters (mm). These are encased in a tough membrane (dura), and just beneath another such membrane, the sellar diaphragm, which has an opening to allow a structure called the infundibular stalk to exit the gland. • Anterior pituitary lobe: This front-facing portion is the largest of the pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary lobe is responsible for the synthesis of most pituitary hormones. It consists of the pars distalis, a structure composed of strings of specialized cells that secrete hormones associated with growth and development (trophic hormones). The pars tuberalis is a part that surrounds the infundibular stalk, and the pars intermedia is a thin band of cells that separates the pars distalis from the posterior pituitary lobe. • Posterior pituitary lobe: The rear-facing lobe of the gland is an extension of the hypothalamus brain region that is connected to the main body via the infundibular stalk, which is itself considered a part of the ...

• The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ in the brain. Most pituitary tumors are benign. • Symptoms vary depending on the type of tumor and the affected area of the pituitary gland. • Your health care provider may order blood and urine tests, CT scan, MRI, or biopsy to diagnose the tumor. • Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, or medication. What are pituitary tumors? A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. The pituitary is a small gland in the brain. It is located behind the back of the nose. It makes hormones that affect many other glands and many functions in your body. Most pituitary tumors are not cancerous (benign). They don’t spread to other parts of your body. But they can cause the pituitary to make too few or too many hormones, causing problems in the body. Pituitary tumors that make too many hormones will cause other glands to make more hormones. That will cause symptoms related to each of the specific hormones. Many pituitary tumors will also press against the nearby optic nerves. This can cause vision problems. Most pituitary tumors don’t cause symptoms. As a result, they are not diagnosed. Or they are found only during a routine brain imaging test. About 25% of people may have small pituitary tumors without knowing it. Below are the main types of pituitary tumors. Nonfunctional adenomas (null cell adenomas) These tumors are the most common type. They don’t make extra hormone. You may not have any symptoms until th...

Overview What is a pituitary adenoma? A pituitary adenoma is a benign (noncancerous) growth on your What is the pituitary gland? Your pituitary is a small gland about the size of a pea that’s joined to your hypothalamus (the base of your brain) right behind your nose. It has two lobes: the anterior (front) lobe and the posterior (back) lobe. Each lobe releases different hormones. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, muscles and other tissues. Your pituitary gland releases several important hormones, including: • • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, or vasopressin). • • • • • • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Your pituitary gland also tells other endocrine system glands to release hormones. Of note, pituitary adenomas can affect the production and release of a single hormone or a combination of hormones. Healthcare providers categorize pituitary adenomas based on whether or not they produce extra hormones. • Functioning (secreting) adenomas: These adenomas release extra pituitary hormones, which cause certain symptoms and/or conditions depending on the hormone it releases. • Nonfunctioning (non-secreting) adenomas: These adenomas don’t release hormones, but they can compress nearby structures if they grow (see below). The most common adenomas most healthcare providers diagnose are nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Healthcare providers also categorize pituitary adenomas based on their size...

What is empty sella syndrome? Empty sella syndrome (ESS) may occur if you have an enlarged sella turcica. This is a bony structure where the pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain. During an imaging test of the area, the pituitary gland may firstlook like it is missing. There are 2 types of ESS: primary and secondary. • Primary ESS. The pituitary gland is usually flattened. This type is more common in women who are obese and have high blood pressure. It has also been linked to fluid buildup in the brain. • Secondary ESS. The pituitary gland may be small because of a genetic change (mutation),injury, radiation therapy, or surgery. What causes empty sella syndrome? Health experts don’t know what causes primary ESS. Secondary ESS may be caused by injury, radiation therapy, or surgery. ESS is not a life-threatening illness. What are the symptoms of empty sella syndrome? You may not have any symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may include: • Impotence in men • Less desire for sex • Irregular menstrual periods in women Symptoms vary from person to person. They also depend on your age and what caused the syndrome. Symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see yourhealthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is empty sella syndrome diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. You may also need these tests: • CT scan. This test uses X-rays and a computer to make images of yourbody. It helps find any problems. • MRI. Thi...

What is growth hormone deficiency? Growth hormone deficiency (GHD), also known as dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism,is a condition caused by insufficient amounts of growth hormone in the body. Children with GHD have abnormally Symptoms • Slow growth or absence of growth • Short stature (below the fifth percentile compared to other children of the same age and sex) • Absent or delayed sexual development during puberty • Symptoms of other pituitary hormone deficiencies that may co-exist with growth hormone deficiency: • Absent or delayed sexual development during puberty • Increased urination and amount of urine • Excessive thirst • Facial abnormalities can be present in a small group of children with GHD, typically caused by pituitary defects. Diagnosis A physical exam and measurement of height, weight, arms and leg lengths are the first steps to diagnosis, in addition to thorough medical history. Blood tests to measure the levels of growth hormone in the body as well as the levels of other hormones. Imaging tests including Treatment Some cases of GHD can be treated with the use of synthetic growth hormone under the supervision of a pediatric endocrinologist. If other hormone deficiencies exist, other hormones can be given in addition to synthetic growth hormone.

Anatomy of the pituitary gland The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master" gland of the endocrine system because it controls the functions of many of the other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the brain. The gland is attached to the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that affects the pituitary gland) by nerve fibers and blood vessels. The pituitary gland itself consists of 2 major structures: • Anterior lobe • Posterior lobe Functions of the pituitary gland Each lobe of the pituitary gland makes certain hormones. Anterior lobe • Growth hormone • Prolactin (to stimulate milk production in the female breast) • ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone which regulates the • TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone which regulates the • FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone which regulates the ovaries and testes) • LH (luteinizing hormone which regulates the ovaries or testes) Posterior lobe • ADH (antidiuretic hormone is actually produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland; it increases absorption of water by the kidneys. It also increases blood pressure) • Oxytocin (to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate the release of milk during breastfeeding)

The pituitary gland is a small organ which is located at the base of the brain. It is referred to as the master gland because it regulates and controls several endocrine glands of the body. The size of this regulating gland is that of a pea size. Pituitary gland is connected to the brain through the hypothalamus. The proper functioning of the pituitary gland is important for the overall well-being of our body. In order to understand whether your pituitary gland is functioning properly, you need to know whether you are experiencing the following early warning signs of pituitary gland disorders. If you encounter any two or more of these problems, you need to consult an endocrinologist to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It is a rare medical condition that is caused due to the presence of too much of growth hormone in the blood. In children, it is called gigantism and is quite rare. This pituitary gland disorder (acromegaly) mainly occurs in adults, middle-aged men, and women. Causes: It is caused by a pituitary adenoma, a non-cancerous tumor present in the pituitary gland. The tumor produces GH in large quantity and raises the GH level in the blood. It also raises the IGH-1 level. Symptoms: The symptoms are large feet, hands, thick lips, widely spaced teeth, coarse facial features. Symptoms are caused by high Growth Hormone levels, tumor volume effects, and hypopituitarism. • • Vision problems Diagnosis: The doctor does a blood test to check the IGF-1 level. Anoth...

Cushing syndrome Without treatment, Cushing syndrome can cause facial roundness, weight gain around the middle body and upper back, thinning of the arms and legs, easy bruising, and stretch marks. Cushing syndrome happens when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol for a long time. This can result from the body making too much cortisol, or from taking medicines called glucocorticoids, which affect the body the same way as cortisol. Too much cortisol can cause some of the main symptoms of Cushing syndrome — a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure or bone loss. Sometimes, it can cause type 2 diabetes. Symptoms Symptoms of Cushing syndrome can vary depending on the level of extra cortisol. Common symptoms of Cushing syndrome • Weight gain in the trunk, with thin arms and legs. • Weight gain in the face. This is sometimes called moon face. • A fatty lump between the shoulders. This may be referred to as a buffalo hump. • Pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms. • Thin, frail skin that bruises easily. • Slow wound healing. • Acne. Symptoms women with Cushing syndrome may experience • Thick, dark hair on the face and body. This condition is called hirsutism. • Periods that are irregular or that stop. Symptoms men with Cushing syndrome may experience • Lower sex drive. • Reduced fertility. • Problems getting an erection. Oth...

Your hypothalamus, a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones. Many conditions can damage your hypothalamus, which can affect many bodily functions. Function The hypothalamus helps manage your body temperature, hunger and thirst, mood, sex drive, blood pressure and sleep. What is the hypothalamus? The hypothalamus is a structure deep within your brain. It’s the main link between your What does your hypothalamus do? Your hypothalamus receives chemical messages from nerve cells in your brain and from nerve cells in your body (your peripheral nervous system), which is also responding to signals outside your body. Your hypothalamus’s main function is to react to these messages to keep your body in a stable state or internal balance. Just like you may have a “smart control” system to seamlessly manage all functions in your home, your hypothalamus is your body’s “smart control” coordinating center. Your hypothalamus helps manage your: • Body temperature. • • Hunger and thirst. • Sense of fullness when eating. • Mood. • Sex drive. • Your hypothalamus performs many of its “body balancing” jobs either by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones. Your autonomic nervous system (bodily functions that work automatically) control several impor...