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Pituitary Gland
Gray's Anatomy (1918) plate, public domain
The pituitary is a pea-sized gland hanging from the hypothalamus in a bony saddle at the skull base, often called the master gland. Its anterior lobe releases hormones controlling growth (GH), the thyroid (TSH), the adrenals (ACTH), the gonads (FSH, LH) and milk production (prolactin). Its posterior lobe stores and releases hypothalamic ADH and oxytocin. It sits just beneath the optic chiasm, where the visual pathways cross.
Key facts
- Despite its size (about 1 cm and 0.5 g), it directs most other endocrine glands.
- Its anterior cells are organised by hormone type, and each is governed by hypothalamic releasing signals plus feedback from target glands.
- Prolactin is unique: it is under constant inhibition by dopamine, so stalk damage raises it while other hormones fall.
- The bony saddle (sella turcica) that cradles it is a landmark on skull imaging.
What can go wrong
Pituitary adenomas — usually benign tumours — can overproduce hormones (prolactin, growth hormone causing acromegaly, or ACTH causing Cushing's disease) or press on the gland and the optic chiasm, causing hormone deficiency and a characteristic loss of the outer visual fields. Assessment combines hormone blood tests, MRI and formal visual field testing; many small adenomas are simply monitored.
Related procedures & tests
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the master gland?
Because its hormones direct the thyroid, adrenal cortex, gonads and growth — though the pituitary itself takes orders from the hypothalamus above it.
Can a pituitary tumour affect vision?
Yes. A growing adenoma can press on the optic chiasm directly above the gland, first blurring the outer edges of vision in both eyes — a pattern detected on field testing.
Educational information only. This atlas explains normal anatomy and describes conditions in general terms; it is not medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified clinician. If you have symptoms that worry you, seek medical care.
