Hypothalamus and 
Pituitary Gland

Hormones released by the posterior pituitary gland releasing and inhibiting hormones that regulate the anterior pituitary gland. Pituiraty gland is about the size of a pea and weighs around 0.5 gram in humans. It hands by a stalk from the hypothalamus in the brain and is protected by the sphenoid bone. Pitunity gland has two functional lobes:

-Anterior glandular

-posterior glandular 

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  • Hypothalamus

     

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Hormones

Anterior Pituitary

  • -Growth hormone (GH) 
  • -Prolactin (PRL)
  • -Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • -Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • -Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • -Adrenocorticotriphic hormone (ACTH)


Posterior Pituitary

  • -Oxytocin (OC)
  • -Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone actions

GH- Growth in bones, muscles and metabolism.

PRL- Milk production (the male function is still unknown).

FSH- Production of ova and sperm.

LH-Stimulates ovaries and tests.

TSH-Stimulates thyroid gland.

ACTH-Stimulates adrenal cortex to secret glucocorticoids.

OC- Stimulates contractions af uterus and the milk "let-down" reflex.

ADH-Promotes retention of water by kidneys.