One of the central organs of the endocrine system is the pituitary gland. What is it, are still in school. In fact, this is the part of the brain that is responsible for the production of hormones that help maintain reproductive functions, growth, and proper metabolism in the body. It doesn’t matter if the pituitary gland produces an excessive or insufficient amount of hormones; in any case, this leads to the development of serious diseases.
Pituitary gland - what is it?
The main task of the pituitary gland is to produce hormones in sufficient quantities for the smooth operation of the human body. Thanks to this, regulation and synthesis of melanin, hormones of the gonads and adrenal glands, development and control of the work of organs, as well as growth are carried out. Distinguish between the anterior, posterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland.
Front lobe
Tropic hormones are produced in the front of the pituitary gland, these are:
- growth hormone, it is responsible for growth;
- adrenocorticotropic hormone, on which the proper functioning of the adrenal glands depends;
- thyrotropin - controls the activity of the thyroid gland;
- gondatropins (folliculotropin and luteotropin) stimulate the function of the gonads, with luteotropin responsible for the production of estrogens and androgens, and folliculotropin - for the formation of spermatozoa in men and the development of follicles in the ovaries in women;
- prolactin - is directly involved in the formation of milk in the mammary glands, that is, it is responsible for lactation.
The development of such ailments as dwarfism or gigantism, acromegaly,
Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, Simmonds-Glinsky disease, is due to a deficiency or overabundance of one of the hormones for the production of which the pituitary gland is responsible. Symptoms of the disease can occur both at an early age and in adulthood.
Intermediate share
Melanocytostimulating hormones are produced in the intermediate lobe. They are responsible for the pigmentation of hair, skin, retina. During pregnancy, for example, an effect such as darkening of the skin is often observed. This occurs due to an increase in melanin, for the formation of which the pituitary gland is responsible. What it is and why it is happening is now clear.
But fair-skinned people with red hair, to whom “tan” does not stick, are carriers of a gene with a mutated hormone receptor that is responsible for pigmentation.
Back lobe
The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are produced by the posterior lobe, which the pituitary gland also has. What is it, what are their functions? Their main task is to participate in the process of regulating blood pressure, muscle tone, and water metabolism. They are also responsible for the functioning of the genitals, blood vessels, some psychological functions and blood coagulation.
Muscle contraction of the walls of the uterus, intestines, gall bladder depends on oxytocin, it is involved in the process of milk isolation from the ducts located inside the mammary gland.
The role of vasopressin is also very important. It regulates the process of urination and the water-salt process in the body. If its production suddenly stops, it will become a catalyst for the development of a disease such as diabetes insipidus, which is associated with a large loss of fluid.