Question

Describe the working of the pituitary gland.

Answer 1

1. The anterior pituitary secretes hormones which stimulate the secretions of other endocrine glands in the body.
2. Hence, the pituitary is called as the ‘master endocrine gland’.
3. However, the pituitary in turn is controlled by the neurosecretions of the hypothalamus, called ‘releasing factors’ which make the pituitary stimulate the secretions of other glands and ‘inhibiting factors’ which oppose the pituitary stimulation of other glands.
4. These neurosecretions reach the Pars distalis through the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system of blood vessels.
5. The posterior pituitary receives and stores vasopressin (ADH) and oxytocin secreted by the supra-optic nuclei and the para-ventricular nuclei respectively and secretes them as and when required.