The functioning of the brain and our body does not depend solely on neurons; hormones also play a fundamental role in these processes. The pituitary gland is the one that secretes different hormones and regulates much of the endocrine activity of our body. The activity of functions as varied as growth, stress reactions or sexual functioning depends on it. If you want to know more about this structure, keep reading this Psychology-Online article: What is the pituitary gland and its function.
What is the pituitary gland or pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland, also called the pituitary gland, is a complex organ that secretes a series of hormonesso it is an endocrine gland.
Where is the pituitary gland located?
The location of the pituitary gland is within a bony structure at the base of the brain called turkish chair, which protects the pituitary gland. This gland connects with the hypothalamuswhich is located above it, through the pituitary or pituitary stalk. The hypothalamus regulates pituitary hormone production through its activation or inhibition, and both structures constitute the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. It is estimated that the pituitary gland weighs between 500 and 700 milligrams.
Regarding the anatomy of the pituitary gland, it has an oval shape and is divided into two different parts: anterior lobe or adenohypophysis and posterior lobe or neurohypophysis.
Pituitary gland: function
In this section we will discuss the pituitary gland and what it does. The pituitary gland is also called the master gland because it regulates and coordinates the activity of many other endocrine glands that have very diverse functions in the body. Therefore, What is the function of the pituitary gland? Basically, the role of the pituitary gland is considered to be homeostatic, that is, regulates the body to achieve levels of stability, compensation and balance in this. On the one hand, based on the information it receives from the environment through the senses and the thalamus, this gland releases hormones that allow an adaptive response to the demands of the environment. On the other hand, the pituitary gland cyclically secretes vital hormones for the body. Below we list and explain the hormones produced by the pituitary gland and their role in the functioning and development of human beings:
- Growth hormone or somatropin: It stimulates the growth of bones and tissues, as well as promotes the formation of muscles and intervenes in the reduction of fat in the tissues. Its function is vital for development during childhood and adolescence, as well as for maintaining well-being and health at later ages.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone or thyrotropin: Responsible for regulating the activity of the thyroid gland, as well as stimulating the production of hormones by the thyroid.
- Stimulating hormone of the adrenal cortex or corticotropin: promotes the secretion of cortisol and other hormones by the adrenal glands. Therefore, it plays a role in stress responses and in balancing metabolism.
- Follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones: These hormones are called gonadotropins, since they regulate the function of the gonads, that is, the testicles and ovaries. In the case of the testicles, it stimulates the production of sperm and in the ovaries, the production of eggs and other sexual hormones.
- Prolactin: It promotes the production and secretion of milk in the mammary glands, as well as plays a role in sexual function.
- Antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin: It is involved in the body’s water balance by regulating the amount of water that the kidneys eliminate in the form of urine.
- Oxytocin: It promotes milk letdown during lactation and uterine contractions during childbirth.
These last two hormones are produced in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and the rest in the anterior lobe.
Pituitary gland: third eye
Due to the role of the pituitary gland in the balance and regulation function of the body, from a more mystical perspective it is related to the third eye or energy center of human beings. This third eye is considered to allow true connection and attunement to our inner self and our energetic rhythms, as well as harmonizing our energies. In this reason and emotion would convergereasoning and intuition.
How to stimulate the pituitary gland
The functioning of the pituitary gland can be improved by adopting and following a healthy lifestyle. The recommendations for its stimulation are the following:
- Practice meditation or mindfulness. Here you will find .
- Carry out yoga.
- Do exercise assiduously.
- Sleep enough hours and maintain a .
- Healthy nutrition that includes large amounts of vegetables, legumes, oily fish, eggs and nuts, as well as reducing the levels of foods with sugar and artificial fats.
Pituitary gland: diseases
The alterations of the pituitary gland or pituitary gland They can be caused by an excess or deficiency of the hormones of this endocrine gland, some of them are the following:
- Acromegaly or gigantism: caused by an excess production of growth hormone, which generates an unusual increase in bones that results in an increase in size, body dimensions and height.
- Galactorrhea: Its cause is an excess of prolactin, which is why there is milk production in both men and women who are not breastfeeding.
- Diabetes insipidus: Its origin is a low production of vasopressin, which causes an imbalance of fluids in the body that leads to an increase in thirst and the amount of urine.
- Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone: It is related to excess vasopressin and causes an increase in fluid retention.
- Sheehan syndrome: It is due to poor hormonal secretion by the pituitary gland because the pituitary tissue is damaged by severe bleeding during childbirth.
- Pituitary adenoma: They are benign tumors in the cells of this gland that cause excess hormonal production.
- Hypopituitarism: It refers to the deficiency of secretion of some hormone or hormones from the pituitary gland. The symptoms will depend on those hormones that are affected.
- Cushing’s disease: Its origin is an excess production of cortisol by adrenal hormones and is characterized by an increase and accumulation of fat in various parts of the body, back pain and stretch marks in the abdominal area, thighs and breasts.
Pituitary gland: symptoms of malfunction
There are a series of symptoms that can lead one to suspect the existence of alterations of the pituitary gland. These symptoms in isolation are not indicative of this, and the judgment of a person specialized in medicine is always necessary. Symptoms of poor functioning of the pituitary gland or pituitary gland are:
- Tiredness, increased cholesterol and constipation
- Dizziness, hypotension and altered blood electrolyte values
- Loss of menstruation, infertility and low sexual desire
- milk secretion
- Increased amount of urine
- Unintentional weight gain or loss
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Brandan, NC, Llanos, I., Miño, CA, Ragazzoli, MA, & Ruiz Díaz, DA (2011). Hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. National University of the Northeast Faculty of Medicine. Corrientes, Argentine Republic. 25p.
- Fernández-Rodríguez, E., Bernabeu, I., & Casanueva, FF (2012). Diseases of the neurohypophysis. Medicine-Accredited Continuing Medical Training Program, 11(13), 782-787.
- Guggiana, MF, García, MC, Peynado, EMN, & López, ABV (2014). Hypophysis. Anatomy and main tumor pathology.