Page 45 - Human anatomy COMPLETELY DONE1
P. 45

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

                                                                 45
   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50