Pituitary or pituitary gland.

It is a small gland no larger than a pea, located at the base of the brain in a small depression bone Turkish esfenoidal called the chair, behind the nose and between the eyes. It is controlled by the hypothalamus to which it is anchored by a small stem that hangs from the bottom of the brain, and sometimes is called as a main or dominant gland, since it will coordinate the nervous system and endocrine.

Some of their hormones encourage other endocrine glands that produce their own hormones. These hormones are stored in the two lobes. This small gland comprises two separate glands: (regulating the function of other endocrine glands)

1 .- previous pituitary gland or adenohypophysis

2 .- posterior pituitary gland or posterior pituitary

2.1 .- lobe previous pituitary gland or above or adenohypophysis: It produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands and these are:

* Thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Triggers the release of thyroid hormones.

* Follicle hormone (FSH):. Relates to the maturation of eggs in women and sperm in men.
* Adrenocorticotropa (ACTH). Stimulates the cortex of the adrenal glands, so that these secrete their hormones (cortisol and aldoesterona).
* Luteinising hormone (LH). Induce ovulation in women and in men it stimulates the production of male hormone, testosterone.
* Prolactin (PRL):) stimulates the production of milk in the mammary glands during lactation.
* Somatotropin, or growth hormone (GH): stimulates the growth of an individual body.
* Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Activates the development of pigment (melanin) into the skin. `

Pituitary or pituitary gland. It consists of a tiny group of nerve cells (neurons) in the center of the old base of the brain or paleoencéfalo. This body serves as a link between the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. The secret hypothalamus hormones:

* Oxytocin
* And antidiuretic (ADH) or vasopressin.

Oxytocin stimulates muscle contractions, especially those of the uterus, and the manufacture and release of breast milk in the mammary glands.

The antidiuretic (ADH) or vasopressin, controls the amount of water excreted by the kidneys and increases blood pressure.

These two hormones are stored in the back or posterior pituitary lobe of the pituitary gland.

The hypothalamus is responsible for many bodily functions. Its function is to integrate and ensure adequate responses to stimuli. It emits signals both through nervous as hormone.

* Regulates hunger,
* Thirst, sleep
* And insomnia.

It also plays an important role in regulating the majority of involuntary mechanisms of the body:

* As body temperature,
* The sex drive
* Or the menstrual cycle in women.

The hypothalamus also regulates the functions of the pituitary gland.

Examples:

* Growth hormone or somatotropin,: hormone essential for growth and reproduction, acting on the bones, producing his stretching and thickening, that determines how long the person is changing in its length, which is known as stature during the childhood.

There are pathologies when the gland starts to alter its functioning, causing problems in sending hormones in the blood, for example:

Hypersecretion is a disease caused by excessive hormone secretion of growth hormone or somatotrophin, or time during childhood development, called giants.

Hiposecreción: It's normal hormone secretion decreases when an adult. But if results from the absence of hormone during the first years of life occurs dwarf hipofasiario.

Acromegaly: It is caused by excesode growth hormone (GH), after the normal development of the individual (adult). This phenomenon causes a gradual enlargement of body tissues, including bones of cure, jaw, hands, cráneo.La feet and the cause of the increase is generally a benign tumor of the pituitary gland.

* Exitocina: It is a hormone-related patterns and sexual conduct with maternal and paternal. It is also associated with affection, tenderness and the act of playing. Some call it the "molecule of monogamy" or "molecule of confidence." The exitocina affects the core functions of falling in love, orgasm, childbirth and lactation. It promotes excretion initial milk after the birth.

* Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone released mainly in response to changes in serum osmolarity or blood volume, ie regulating the water absorption in the tombs at the level of renal kidney; stimulates the degree of fluid retention (urine) in the body. For example: Certain substances can alter its production, such as alcohol. The intake of alcohol in a person, stimulates the production of urine, not because alcohol is a diuretic but inhibits their actions. In other words eat if we are removing the water, but if you eat alcohol urine will be in greater quantity.

2.2 .- pituitary lobe rear or back or posterior pituitary gland:

Stores that secrete hormones in the hypothalamus. These include:

* Oxytocin
* Antidiuretic (ADH) or vasopressin

Oxytocin stimulates muscle contractions, especially those of the uterus, and the manufacture and release of breast milk in the mammary glands.

The antidiuretic (ADH) or vasopressin controls the amount of water excreted by the kidneys and increases blood pressure.

Is not a small gland larger than a pea, located at the base of the brain in a small depression bone esfenoidal called the Turkish chair, behind the nose and between the eyes. It is controlled by the hypothalamus to which it is anchored by a small stem that hangs from the bottom of the brain, and sometimes is called as a main or dominant gland, since it will Cordina nervous system and endocrine.