Part of the endocrine system of the body is, the pituitary gland. The endocrine system consists of glands, located in various parts of the body. The hormones, are the active chemical substances, produced by these glands.
The secretions of these glands is sent into the blood stream, to be distributed in the whole body. The endocrine system is involved in managing or regulating many things that happen in the body from time to time. The pituitary gland controls many function s of the body, and is a part of the body system. It is the most important part of the body regulating growth, production of mild, and controlling other endocrine glands.
The size and weight of this gland is that of a pea. It is protected by a bony structure and is joined to the under surface of the brain.
Pituitary is such a small gland, yet, it is divided into two parts. These parts are called lobes the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. Posterior lobe is the smaller of the two, in which more than 50,000 nerve fibres go, connecting it with various parts of the body.
The pituitary, acting on another gland the thyroid, controls the growth in children. The pituitary also controls the sexual development of an individual. It regulates the metabolism of the body, and thus transforms food into various forms of energy. It is involved with certain muscles, the kidney and other organs.
The growth of tumors on this gland can make it over active or underactive. One result of this activity can make the people grow to giants or develop poorly as dwarfs.
