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Human Body Study

Pituitary Gland

A pea-sized gland hanging beneath the hypothalamus — historically called the “master gland.”

The endocrine system A stylised body with the eight endocrine glands placed at their anatomical positions: hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreatic islets and gonads. Each label links to the article for that gland. Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Pineal gland Thyroid gland Parathyroid glands Adrenal glands Pancreatic islets Gonads The endocrine glands at their anatomical positions — schematic, not to scale.

Two lobes

Section titled “Two lobes”
  • Anterior pituitary — makes and releases its own hormones, including growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, the gonadotropins (LH and FSH), and prolactin.
  • Posterior pituitary — makes no hormones of its own; it stores and releases two made by the hypothalamus: oxytocin and ADH (vasopressin).

What it does

Section titled “What it does”

Directs other endocrine glands — the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads — and influences growth, metabolism, reproduction, and water balance.

Key idea

Section titled “Key idea”

The pituitary is “master” only in part — it takes its orders from the hypothalamus above it. Its role is central to the hormonal axes.