Question
List and explain the hormones secreted by the anterior and posterior pituitary gland, along with their target organs and functions.
Solution — Step by Step
flowchart TD
A[Pituitary Gland] --> B[Anterior Pituitary - Adenohypophysis]
A --> C[Posterior Pituitary - Neurohypophysis]
B --> D[GH - Growth]
B --> E[TSH - Thyroid]
B --> F[ACTH - Adrenal Cortex]
B --> G[FSH - Gonads]
B --> H[LH - Gonads]
B --> I[Prolactin - Mammary glands]
C --> J[ADH - Kidneys]
C --> K[Oxytocin - Uterus/Mammary]The anterior pituitary synthesises and secretes its own hormones under the control of hypothalamic releasing/inhibiting hormones. Key hormones: GH (growth), TSH (thyroid-stimulating), ACTH (adrenocorticotropic), FSH (follicle-stimulating), LH (luteinising), and Prolactin (PRL).
GH: Stimulates growth of bones and tissues. Oversecretion in children causes gigantism; in adults causes acromegaly. Undersecretion causes dwarfism. TSH: Stimulates thyroid to produce T/T. ACTH: Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. FSH: Stimulates ovarian follicle growth in females and spermatogenesis in males. LH: Triggers ovulation in females and testosterone production in males. Prolactin: Stimulates milk production in mammary glands after childbirth.
The posterior pituitary does NOT synthesise hormones. It stores and releases two hormones made by the hypothalamus: ADH (antidiuretic hormone/vasopressin) — increases water reabsorption in kidney collecting ducts, reducing urine volume. Oxytocin — stimulates uterine contractions during labour and milk ejection (let-down reflex) during breastfeeding.
Why This Works
The pituitary is called the “master gland” because its tropic hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH) regulate other endocrine glands. However, the pituitary itself is controlled by the hypothalamus via releasing and inhibiting hormones — so the hypothalamus is the true master regulator.
Common Mistake
The biggest error: writing that the posterior pituitary “produces” ADH and oxytocin. The posterior pituitary only stores and releases them — they are synthesised in the hypothalamus (supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei) and transported down nerve axons to the posterior pituitary. This distinction appears in NEET almost every year.