Answer:
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland found at the base of the brain. It is often called the "main gland" of the body, as it regulates many of the activities of the endocrine glands. Located above the pituitary gland is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus decides which hormones the pituitary should release by sending hormonal or electrical messages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anterior pituitary produces various hormones:
Prolactin - Prolactin (PRL) stimulates milk secretion in women after childbirth and can affect the hormonal levels of the ovaries in women and the testicles in men.
Growth hormone - Growth hormone (GH) stimulates childhood growth and is important for maintaining a healthy body composition. In adults it is also important to maintain muscle and bone mass. It can affect the distribution of fat in the body.
Adrenocorticotropin - Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulates cortisol production by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is called a "stress hormone" because it is essential for survival. It helps maintain blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones, which, in turn, regulate the body's metabolism, energy, growth and development, and activity of the nervous system
Luteinizing hormone - Luteinizing hormone (LH) regulates testosterone in men and estrogen in women.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - This hormone (also called FSH) encourages sperm production in men and stimulates the ovaries to release eggs in women. Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulator work together to allow normal functioning of the ovaries or testicles.
The posterior pituitary produces two hormones:
Oxytocin - Oxytocin causes the breastfeeding reflex (ejection) and causes contractions during childbirth.
Antidiuretic hormone - The antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin, is stored in the back of the pituitary gland and regulates the fluid balance in the body. If the secretion of this hormone is not normal, problems can occur between the balance of sodium (salt) and fluid, and it can also affect the kidneys so that they function poorly.
In reaction to the excess or deficiency of pituitary hormones, the glands affected by these hormones can produce an excess or a deficiency of their own hormones. For example, too much growth hormone can cause gigantism, or excessive growth, and a deficiency can cause dwarfism, that is, very short stature.