Editing Pituitary gland (section)

== Function ==
[[File:Pituiary gland - regulatory hormones.png|thumb|280px|[[Pituitary hormones]]]]

The anterior pituitary regulates several physiological processes by secreting hormones. This includes stress (by secreting [[Adrenocorticotropic hormone|ACTH]]), growth (by secreting [[Growth hormone|GH]]), reproduction (by secreting [[Follicle-stimulating hormone|FSH]] and [[Luteinizing hormone|LH]]), metabolism rate (by secreting [[Thyroid-stimulating hormone|TSH]]) and [[lactation]] (by secreting [[prolactin]]). The [[intermediate lobe]] synthesizes and secretes [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone]]. The [[posterior pituitary]] (or neurohypophysis) is a lobe of the gland that is functionally connected to the [[hypothalamus]] by the [[median eminence]] via a small tube called the [[pituitary stalk]] (also called the infundibular stalk or the infundibulum). It regulates hydroelectrolytic stability (by secreting [[Vasopressin|ADH]]), uterine contraction during labor and human attachment (by secreting [[oxytocin]]).

=== Anterior ===
The anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes hormones. All '''releasing hormones''' (-RH) referred to can also be referred to as '''releasing factors''' (-RF).

[[Somatotropic cell|Somatotropes]]:
* [[Growth hormone]] (GH), also known as somatotropin, is released under the influence of hypothalamic [[growth hormone-releasing hormone]] (GHRH), and is [[Releasing and inhibiting hormones|inhibited]] by hypothalamic [[somatostatin]].

[[Corticotropic cell|Corticotropes]]:
* Cleaved from the precursor [[proopiomelanocortin]] protein, and include [[adrenocorticotropic hormone]] (ACTH), and [[beta-endorphin]], and [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone]] are released.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dall’Olmo |first1=Luigi |last2=Papa |first2=Nicole |last3=Surdo |first3=Nicoletta Concetta |last4=Marigo |first4=Ilaria |last5=Mocellin |first5=Simone |date=2023-08-22 |title=Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH): biology, clinical relevance and implication in melanoma |journal=Journal of Translational Medicine |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=562 |doi=10.1186/s12967-023-04405-y |doi-access=free |issn=1479-5876 |pmc=10463388 |pmid=37608347}}</ref>

[[Thyrotropic cell|Thyrotropes]]:
* [[Thyroid-stimulating hormone]] (TSH) is released under the influence of [[Hypothalamus|hypothalamic]] [[thyrotropin-releasing hormone]] (TRH) and is inhibited by somatostatin.

[[Gonadotropic cell|Gonadotropes]]:
* [[Luteinizing hormone]] (LH). stimulated by Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) 
* [[Follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH), also stimulated by Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH), and also by Activin

[[Lactotropic cell|Lactotropes]]:
* [[Prolactin]] (PRL), whose release is inconsistently stimulated by hypothalamic TRH, oxytocin, vasopressin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, angiotensin II, neuropeptide Y, galanin, substance P, bombesin-like peptides (gastrin-releasing peptide, neuromedin B and C), and neurotensin, and inhibited by hypothalamic dopamine.<ref name="Melmed2010">{{cite book|author=Shlomo Melmed|title=The pituitary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFFW68kMpFIC&pg=PA40|date=3 December 2010|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-380926-1|page=40}}</ref>

These hormones are released from the anterior pituitary under the influence of the [[hypothalamus]]. Hypothalamic hormones are secreted to the anterior lobe by way of a special [[capillary]] system, called the [[Hypophyseal portal system|hypothalamic-hypophysial portal system]].

There is also a non-endocrine cell population called [[folliculostellate cell]]s.

=== Posterior ===
The posterior pituitary stores and secretes (but does not synthesize) the following important endocrine hormones:

[[Magnocellular neurosecretory cell|Magnocellular neurons]]:
* [[Antidiuretic hormone]] (ADH, also known as [[vasopressin]] and arginine vasopressin AVP), the majority of which is released from the [[supraoptic nucleus]] in the [[hypothalamus]].
* [[Oxytocin]], most of which is released from the [[paraventricular nucleus]] in the [[hypothalamus]]. Oxytocin is one of the few hormones to create a [[positive feedback]] loop. For example, uterine contractions stimulate the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary, which, in turn, increases uterine contractions. This positive feedback loop continues throughout labour.

=== Hormones ===
Hormones secreted from the pituitary gland help control the following body processes:
* [[Human development (biology)|Growth]] (GH)
* [[Blood pressure]]
* Some aspects of [[pregnancy]] and [[childbirth]] including stimulation of [[Uterine contraction#Childbirth|uterine contractions]]
* [[Lactation#Hormonal influences|Breast milk production]]
* [[Sex organ]] functions in both [[sex]]es
* [[Thyroid gland]] function
* [[Metabolism|Metabolic]] conversion of food into [[energy]]
* [[Water]] and [[osmolarity]] regulation in the body
* Water balance via the control of reabsorption of [[water]] by the [[kidneys]]
* Temperature regulation
* [[Pain]] relief