Where would you find the pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is a part of your endocrine system. Its main function is to secrete hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones can affect other organs and glands, especially your: • thyroid • reproductive organs • The pituitary gland is sometimes called the master gland because it’s involved in so many processes. The pituitary gland is small and oval-shaped. It’s located behind your nose, near the underside of your brain. It’s attached to the The hypothalamus is a small area of your brain. It’s very important in controlling the balance of your bodily functions. It controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland can be divided into two different parts: the anterior and posterior lobes. Anterior lobe The anterior lobe of your pituitary gland is made up of several different types of cells that produce and release different types of hormones, including: • Growth hormone. • Thyroid-stimulating hormone. • Adrenocorticotropic hormone. • Follicle-stimulating hormone. • Luteinizing hormone. • Prolactin. • Endorphins. • Enkephalins. Enkephalins are closely related to endorphins and have similar pain-relieving effects. • Beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. This hormone helps to stimulate increased pigmentation of your skin in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Posterior lobe The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland also secretes hormones. These hormones are usually produced in your hypothalamus and stored in the posterior lobe unti...

Let’s discuss pituitary diseases in more detail. Acromegaly and gigantism These conditions are rare. Acromegaly affects Cushing syndrome Treatment options for Cushing syndrome include medications that decrease cortisol levels and surgery. Prolactinoma Prolactinoma is a benign pituitary tumor that makes the hormone prolactin. Too much of this hormone causes a condition called Small prolactinomas usually don’t need treatment. Medications and surgery can effectively relieve symptoms for larger and more bothersome tumors. Empty sella syndrome Empty sella syndrome usually doesn’t require treatment unless it causes symptoms. In this case, you might need pain relief medications or surgery. Hypopituitarism Treatment usually involves taking medications to supplement insufficient hormone production. Diabetes insipidus Treatment of diabetes insipidus depends on the severity. In mild cases, you may not need treatment. In other cases, your doctor may prescribe you Sheehan syndrome Treatment typically includes medications, like Pituitary apoplexy Pituitary apoplexy happens when you have bleeding or blood loss in your pituitary gland from a benign tumor called a pituitary adenoma. It can affect up to Treatments for pituitary apoplexy include medications, like corticosteroids, and surgery. Rathke cleft cyst This is a benign pituitary gland tumor. It’s similar to pituitary adenoma but is congenital (present at birth). It’s quite common but rarely causes any symptoms, so most people don’t k...

Pituitary gland (Glandula pituitaria) The pituitary gland (hypophysis), is the master gland of the sella turcica of The pituitary gland is made of two active lobes; anterior and posterior. • The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis, produces and secretes the majority of pituitary hormones. Its function is controlled by the releasing-hormones of the hypothalamus. • The posterior lobe ( The main function of the pituitary gland is to produce hormones that regulate many vital functions and processes, such as metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure and many other vital physical functions and processes. The hormones secreted by the gland affect nearly every This article will discuss the Key facts about the pituitary gland Definition The “master gland” of the endocrine system which controls the rest of the body glands. Structure Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) Hormones Anterior pituitary: Growth hormone (somatotropin), prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Posterior pituitary: Oxytocin, vasopressin Function Regulation of metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure, breastfeeding, immune response and many other vital physical functions and processes Synonyms: Hypophysis The pituitary gland is located in the pituitary fossa (sella turcica) of the ...

Why is the pituitary gland called the master gland? The Pituitary Gland is at the anatomical and functional crossroads of the brain, mind and body. Weighing less than one gram and measuring a centimeter in width, the pituitary is often called the “master gland” since it regulates the secretion of thebody’s hormones. These substances when released by the pituitary into the bloodstream have a dramatic and broad range of effects on growth and development, sexuality and reproductive function, metabolism, the response to stress and overall quality of life. Pituitary gland anatomy and function This small, bean-shaped gland is located below the brain in the skull base, in an area called the sella turcica. The pituitary gland is regulated by a brain region called the hypothalamus which is connected to the pituitary gland by a thin delicate vascular connection called the pituitary stalk or infundibulum. The pituitary is divided into a larger anterior region (adenohypophysis) and smaller posterior region (neurohypophysis). Directly above the pituitary are the optic nerves and the optic chiasm as they project to the eyes. On each side of the pituitary is the cavernous sinus which is a venous channel through which runs the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain, and important nerves that control eye movements and facial sensation. Because of the proximity of the pituitary to these major intracranial nerves and blood vessels, and the vital hormonal control the pituitary provide...

What is the Pituitary Gland? The pituitary gland is a pea size organ that sits inside the sella, a bony structure located in the middle of the head, beneath the brain and behind the nose and sinuses. The pituitary gland is considered the “master endocrine gland” because it produces and releases a number of hormones that control other glands in the body to regulate many biological functions. These hormones include: • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulates the adrenal gland to make the hormone cortisol that is required for response to stress • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-regulates water balance in the body • Growth hormone (GH)-regulates growth • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-regulates production of egg and sperm • Luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulates release of estrogen in women and testosterone in men • Prolactin-stimulates breast milk production after pregnancy • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone that is essential for regulation of metabolism, temperature and other bodily functions Common Pituitary Conditions Because of its location and role in regulating hormones within the body, any abnormality of the pituitary gland can be associated with a wide range of symptoms and disorders. For example, if the pituitary gland grows in size, this can cause pressure on the optic chiasm, a bundle of nerve fibers that communicates information from the eyes to the brain, which can lead to vision issues or headaches. Pituitar...

• Show submenu • Show submenu • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • Show submenu • Show submenu • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • • • • • Show submenu • • • • • • • • • • • Location of the Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose.It is about one-half inch (1.25 cm) in diameter.The pituitary gland rests within a hollowed out area of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica. The pituitary gland sits below the optic chiasm—the point where the fibers of the optic nerves cross each other—and between the internal carotid arteries. The sphenoid sinus, which is used to access the pituitary gland during transsphenoidal surgery, is below the gland. Function of the Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it monitors and regulates many bodily functions through the hormones that it produces, including: • Growth and sexual/reproductive development and function • Glands (thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and gonads) • Organs (kidneys, uterus, and breasts) The pituitary gland is connected by a stalk to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Together, the brain and pituitary gland form the neuroendocrine system. This system constantly monitors glands and organs to determine whether to send or to ...

In the modern era of advanced imaging, they are a common finding. The first thing to consider is whether the patient’s symptoms that led to the MRI are related to the tumor. If the presenting symptoms are related to mass effect from the pituitary tumor (apoplexy, visual loss, cranial nerve dysfunction) or hormone excess or deficiency, then the lesion is not an incidentaloma and neurosurgical/endocrine evaluation should be undertaken. Pituitary tumors are classified into macroadenomas (>1 cm) and microadenomas (<1cm). They are also traditionally separated into functional tumors (those that produce an active hormone) and non-functional tumors (those that do not). In reality, many “non-functioning” adenomas produce FSH and/or LH without clinical effect. Non-functioning adenomas typically present as a result of mass effect. Headaches are rare unless the tumor has hemorrhaged or infarcted (apoplexy) but can be quite severe in this setting. Suprasellar extension causing optic chiasm compression can result in bitemporal hemianopsia or even more extensive visual field deficits. Cavernous sinus extension can result in oculomotor or other cranial nerve compromise. Mass effect from the adenoma on the normal pituitary gland can also cause pituitary hypofunction. Rates of gonadotropin deficiency, thyroid axis deficiency and adrenal insufficiency can be as high as 30, 28 and 18%, respectively. Patients presenting with an incidentaloma should undergo a comprehensive history and physical ...

The specialists at the OHSU Pituitary Center will give you a precise diagnosis and a treatment plan for your exact needs. You’ll find: • An experienced team that cares for hundreds of patients a year, making sure each one gets the right treatment. • A program led by Dr. Maria Fleseriu, an internationally recognized pituitary expert. • Highly skilled neurosurgeons who offer the latest minimally invasive techniques. • Precise radiation therapy that targets pituitary tumors while sparing healthy tissue. • Expert second opinions, with most evaluations completed in one day. • The latest diagnostic testing in our dedicated facility. • Clinical trials that test new approaches to care. Our work in past trials helped lead to FDA approval of new medications for acromegaly and Cushing disease. Expert team: Our team members are highly trained in endocrinology, a branch of medicine that deals with hormones. We have a special focus on neuroendocrinology, or how the nervous system and endocrine system interact. Team-based care: Your care plan may bring together specialists from across OHSU, such as: • Neurosurgeons • Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons • Neuro-ophthalmologists (experts in the vision and the nervous system) • Neuropathologists (doctors who help diagnose disorders of the nervous system) • Nurse practitioners who focus on caring for patients with pituitary disorders • Physician assistants who specialize in neurosurgery Fast evaluation: We work to get answers quickly. We pro...

Having an overactive pituitary gland is called hyperpituitarism. Noncancerous (benign) tumors usually cause this condition by making the gland produce too much or too little of the hormones that control growth, reproduction and metabolism. The hormonal changes cause a range of different disorders, from gigantism in children to hyperthyroidism in adults. Overview What is hyperpituitarism (overactive pituitary gland)? When your What does the pituitary gland do? The pituitary gland plays a major role in controlling how your body works. It’s a pea-sized, cherry-shaped endocrine gland located near the base of your brain. Endocrine glands release (secrete) Think of your pituitary gland like a thermostat. The thermostat performs constant temperature checks in your home to keep you comfortable. It sends signals to your heating and cooling systems to turn up or down — and by how many degrees — to keep air temperatures constant. Your pituitary gland monitors your body functions in much the same way. Your pituitary gland sends signals to your organs and glands to tell them what functions are needed and when. The right settings for your body depend upon many things, including your sex, weight distribution and how active you are. Blood vessels connect your pituitary gland to a part of your brain called the Your pituitary gland consists of three parts: the anterior, intermediate and posterior lobes. Anterior lobe Your • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) : This hormone causes your adren...