Anterior pituitary
Adenohypophysis (lobus anterior)
Endocrine & glandsGlandsHead
- What it is
- The front three-quarters of the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland hanging from the base of the brain in a bony cup (the sella turcica) behind the nose. It is true glandular tissue, controlled by releasing hormones that reach it through a private portal blood supply from the hypothalamus.
- Function
- Secretes growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, TSH, FSH and LH — the "master gland" signals that drive the adrenal cortex, thyroid, gonads, growth and lactation.
- Size
- Whole pituitary about 12 × 8 × 6 mm, 0.5–0.6 g; the anterior lobe is ~75–80 % of it
- Clinical note
- Pituitary adenomas are common (≈10 % of intracranial tumours). A growing one presses upward on the optic chiasm and classically causes bitemporal hemianopia (loss of both outer visual fields).