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Figure 31. The glands of internal secretion
The pituitary gland is located directly under the hypothalamus and is connected
to it by a funnel and a leg, through which the neural secret enters. The pituitary gland
reacts to chemicals coming from the hypothalamus and secretes its hormones.
The pituitary gland is located in the "Turkish saddle" – a special deepening of
the bones of the skull cavity.
In the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, growth hormone – somatotropin is
produced. It enhances protein synthesis, growth and division of target cells.
Also, tropic hormones are produced in the anterior lobe (they regulate the activity
of other endocrine glands):
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates the thyroid gland,
gonadotropin acts on the sex glands,
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) regulates the adrenal cortex.
The secretion of pituitary hormones into the blood is regulated by the feedback
principle. A decrease in the content of a certain hormone in the blood causes the
pituitary gland to release the corresponding hormone, which increases the activity of
the gland.
The posterior pituitary gland secretes vasopressin into the blood, which enhances
the reabsorption of water from primary urine. This is also where the release of oxytocin
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