Henry Family Blog

The Pituitary Gland is also called the Master Gland.  It was given that name because it has so many functions.  It aids in maturation, reproduction, metabolism, circulation, bone metabolism, body temperature and water balance. 

The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland together, regulate virtually every aspect of growth, development, metabolism and homeostasis.  The Hypothalamus is the major integrating link between the Nervous System and the Endocrine System.  It receives input from the cortex, thalamus, limbic system & internal organs.  It also controls the Pituitary Gland with nine different releasing and inhibiting hormones. 

The Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is the most plentiful anterior pituitary hormone.  It is essential for normal growth during childhood and adolescence.  It promotes synthesis and secretion of small protein hormones called insulin-like growth factors. (IGFs).  IGFs stimulate and regulate metabolism.  Hghs and IGFs work together by targeting common cells in the liver, skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone.  They increase growth and cell division by increasing amino acid uptake and protein synthesis.  They stimulate lipolysis, fatty acids used for ATP.  They also spare the use of glucose for ATP production, keeping the blood glucose levels high enough to supply the brain.

If someone had an overactive Pituitary Gland, they would have Acromegaly.  It’s when there is excess Human Growth Hormone released in adulthood.  It is also referred to as gigantism.

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