Pituitary: what is it and what is its effect on the body?

One of the central organs of the endocrine system is the pituitary gland. What is it, go back to school. In fact, this is part of the brain, which is responsible for the production of hormones that support the maintenance of reproductive functions, growth, proper metabolism in the body. No matter, excess or insufficient number of hormones produces the pituitary gland, in any case it leads to the development of serious diseases.

Pituitary body - what is it?

The main task of the pituitary gland is to produce enough hormones for the smooth functioning of the human body. Due to this, regulation and synthesis of melanin, hormones of the gonads and adrenal glands are carried out, development and control of the work of organs, as well as growth. Distinguish the anterior, posterior and intermediate parts of the pituitary gland.

Front lobe

Tropic hormones are produced in the anterior part of the pituitary gland, these are:

• Somatotropin, it is responsible for growth;
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone, which depends on the proper work of the adrenal glands;
• Thyrotropin - controls the activity of the thyroid gland;
• Gondatropines (folliculotropin and luteotropin) stimulate the functions of the gonads, and luteotropin is responsible for the production of estrogens and androgens, and folliculotropin - for the formation of spermatozoa in men and the development of follicles in the ovaries in women;
• Prolactin - directly involved in the formation of milk in the mammary glands, that is, responsible for lactation.

The development of such ailments as dwarfism or gigantism, acromegaly, Itenko-Cushing syndrome, Simmonds-Glinsky disease, is caused by a deficiency or an overabundance of one of the hormones, for the production of which the pituitary gland is responsible. Symptoms of disease can manifest themselves at an early age, and in a mature.

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, often there is an effect such as darkening of the skin. This is due to the increase in melanin, for the formation of which the pituitary gland is responsible. What it is and why it happens is now clear.

But light-skinned people with red hair, to which "does not stick" tan, are carriers of a gene with a mutated receptor of a hormone responsible for pigmentation.

Posterior lobe

Hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are produced by the posterior lobe, which also has a pituitary gland. What is it, what are their functions? Their main task is to participate in the process of regulation of arterial pressure, muscle tone, water metabolism. They are also responsible for the work of genital organs, blood vessels, certain psychological functions and blood clotting.

From oxytocinum depends muscular contraction of the walls of the uterus, intestine, gall bladder, it is involved in the process of discharging milk from the ducts located inside the breast.

The role of vasopressin is also very important. It regulates the process of urine formation and water-salt process in the body. If the development of it suddenly stops, it will become a catalyst for the development of a disease such as diabetes insipidus, which is associated with a large loss of fluid.