PITUITARY GLAND
Pituitary gland is an example of endocrine gland i.e. it releases its hormones directly into the blood stream which are carried to the target organs where they produce physiological responses.Pituitary gland is also known as Hypophysis cerebri. The name pituitary was given by Vesalius.
POSITION- Located below the brain ,behind the nasal cavity on the floor of the cranium.It lies in the depression of the sphenoid bone i.e. in Sella tursia.
SIZE- About the size of a large pea,about 1.3 cm in diameter.
WEIGHT-About 0.5g. Grows about 50% in pregnancy.
It has been called "master endocrine gland" or orchestra of endocrine system". However hypothalamus of the brain is real "master gland" of the body. [1]
The pituitary gland consists of two components: the anterior pituitary (or adenohypophysis) and the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis), and is functionally linked to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk (also named the "infundibular stem", or simply the "infundibulum").[2] [B2]
POSITION- Located below the brain ,behind the nasal cavity on the floor of the cranium.It lies in the depression of the sphenoid bone i.e. in Sella tursia.
SIZE- About the size of a large pea,about 1.3 cm in diameter.
WEIGHT-About 0.5g. Grows about 50% in pregnancy.
It has been called "master endocrine gland" or orchestra of endocrine system". However hypothalamus of the brain is real "master gland" of the body. [1]
The pituitary gland consists of two components: the anterior pituitary (or adenohypophysis) and the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis), and is functionally linked to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk (also named the "infundibular stem", or simply the "infundibulum").[2] [B2]