One of the central organs of the endocrine system is the pituitary gland. What is it, pass still at 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 too much or not enough hormones, in any case it leads to the development of serious diseases.
Pituitary - what is it?
The main task of the pituitary gland is to produce hormones in sufficient quantities for the smooth functioning of the human body. Thanks to this, the regulation and synthesis of melanin, hormones of the gonads and adrenal glands, the development and control of the functioning of organs, as well as growth are carried out. There are anterior, posterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland.
Anterior lobe
Tropic hormones are produced in the anterior part of the pituitary gland, these are:
- somatotropin, 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 functions 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 ovarian follicles 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's disease, is due to a deficiency or excess of one of the hormones that the pituitary gland is responsible for. Disease symptoms can appear both at an early age and in adulthood.
Intermediate share
Melanocyte-stimulating hormones are produced in the intermediate lobe. They are responsible for the pigmentation of hair, skin, retina. During pregnancy, for example, such an effect as darkening of the skin is often observed. This is due to an increase in melanin, the formation of which is responsible for the pituitary gland. What it is and why it happens is now clear.
But light-skinned people with red hair, who "do not stick" with a tan, are carriers of a gene with a mutated hormone receptor responsible for pigmentation.
Posterior lobe
The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are produced by the posterior lobe, which also has the pituitary gland. What is it, what are their functions? Their main task is to participate in the regulation of blood pressure, muscle tone, and water metabolism. They alsoare responsible for the work of the genitals, blood vessels, some psychological functions and blood clotting.
Oxytocin influences the muscular contraction of the walls of the uterus, intestines, gallbladder, it is involved in the process of secreting milk 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-s alt process in the body. If its production suddenly stops, this will become a catalyst for the development of such a disease as diabetes insipidus, which is associated with a large loss of fluid.
