What is the purpose of the pituitary gland?

Answer 1

The pituitary gland sends signals to other glands and organs. Like the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes. It directs them to produce certain hormones. A gland at the base of the brain.

source :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary

Answer 2

It is the main thing in the women's menstrual cycle, it starts by producing FSH, which starts maturing the egg, which also stimulates the ovaries to produce Oestrogen which thickens th lining of the womb. This stimulates LH to be released from Pituitary gland and that releases the egg.
secretes many hormones.

Answer 3

The pituitary gland is known as the master gland. It is divided into an anterior and posterior part.

The pituitary secretes somatotrophs, corticotrophs, thyrotrophs, lactrotrophs and gonadotrophs.

Anterior Pituitary Makes:

1. Growth Hormone which affects bones & muscles to produce growth.

2. Prolactin which affects the breast for milk secretion.

3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone which affect adrenal glands to

(a) make aldosterone which affects the kidney to cause it to conserve sodium.

(b) to make cortisol which affects body cells causing stress.

(c) to make androgens which affect the axilla producing hair growth.

4. Thyroid hormone which affects the thyroid to make thyroxine. This acts on body cells and increases metabolism.

5. Gonadotropic Hormones (LH, FSH) which affect the testes causing them to make testosterone. This in turn affects body cells producing male secondary sex characteristics. This same hormone affects the ovaries to make estrogen which again affects body cells which in turn produce female secondary sex characteristics. Both males and females make these two sex hormones.

The third effect is on the ovaries to make progesterone which acts on the uterus to maintains pregnancy.

Post Pituitary makes:

1. Oxytocin which acts on the breast to cause the breasts to "let down" milk. It also causes the uterus to contract.

2. Antidiuretic hormone which acts on the kidney to conserve water

Answer 4

The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because it plays a crucial role in regulating various hormones in the body. It produces and releases hormones that control growth, metabolism, reproduction, and other critical functions in the body. Additionally, the pituitary gland responds to signals from the hypothalamus to maintain hormonal balance and overall wellbeing.

Answer 5

depends... what's that