Summary of article one The first article titled “An Overview of the Pituitary Gland: The Endocrine System's Master Gland’’ begins by restating the role pituitary gland. According to this article pituitary gland produces hormones which have effects on the various parts of the endocrine system. These include adrenal glands, thyroid glands, ovaries and testes. The author goes on to state that pituitary, which measures about one third of an inch is located at the base of the brain next to another important part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Both hypothalamus and pituitary gland functions overlap according to Reham. The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes; the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe according to this article. The anterior lobe produces hormones while posterior lobe distributes the hormones produced by the nerve cells located in the hypothalamus. Hormones produced by this gland stimulate the production of other hormones produced by the endocrine glands. However, pituitary gland does not act on its own. It is directed by hypothalamus. The anterior lobe produces about six hormones. These include Adrenocorticotropic which stimulates adrenal glands and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) which works with Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to ensure normal functioning of ovaries and testes. The others are Growth Hormone (GH) for growth, Prolactin for milk production and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. On the other hand, the article states that two hormones are circulated by the posterior lobe. These include Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH), which stimulates adrenal glands and ensures that kidney absorbs or get rid of water in the blood. The other mentioned hormone is oxytocin which helps in child delivery. The article concludes by highlighting two pituitary disorders, tumor and bleeding. Summary of article two The second article titled “Pituitary Gland” begins by stating that the size of the pituitary gland is comparable to pea size. It also states that the gland is also located in a cavy structure at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is divided into two parts; posterior and anterior lobe according to this article. The posterior lobe is an extension of hypothalamus. This lobe does not produce its own hormones, but releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus. On the other hand, anterior lobe produces its hormones. According to the author, posterior lobe releases two hormones; Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) and oxytocin produced by cells found in the hypothalamus. The hormones are transported via hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract for storage and distribution. The posterior lobe according to the article is lighter than anterior lobe because it is made of white matter. ADH supplied by this lobe help the body to conserve water by decreasing water loss through urination and perspiration. On the other hand, oxytocin makes the uterus and mammary to contract during child birth and breast feeding respectively. The article gives a very comprehensive discussion on the hormones produced by the posterior lobe. The first to be discussed is the Adrenocorticotropic whose target tissue is an adrenal cortex. The hormone stimulates the production of glucocorticoid steroid. The second hormone mentioned is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone whose target gland is the thyroid gland. The hormone stimulates secretion of thyroid hormones. The third hormone is the growth hormone whose target organ is the liver. This hormone is promotes protein synthesis thus is responsible for growth. The fourth is the Follicle stimulating hormone. The hormone stimulates gamete and estrogen production in males and females respectively. The fifth is the prolactin which promotes lactation in females. The sixth hormone is the luteinizing hormone which stimulates gonad to produce testosterone in males and corpus luteum in females.Summary of article 3 The third article titled “Pituitary gland Overview” begins by stating that the pituitary gland is pea sized organ located at the base of the brain. As a master gland, pituitary secretes hormones which are transported to other parts of the body. These hormones stimulate their target and glands to produce hormones. According to Klibanski, all pituitary hormones are produced in the front lobe. These hormones include prolactin which stimulates milk production. The hormone according to Klibanski affects sex levels by influencing functions of ovaries in women and testes in men. The Growth Hormone stimulates growth in children. In adults, it is used to maintain a healthy body conditions. The hormone is also important in maintaining muscle and bone mass and distribution of fats in the body of adults. The other hormone is Adrenocorticotropic which according to the article is involved in the production of cortisol. The hormone responds to stressors. Its functions include maintaining blood glucose and pressure. The other hormone called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone stimulates the production of thyroid hormones by thyroid glands. This hormone according to the article regulates cell metabolism, nervous system functions and energy balance. The next two hormones discussed in the article are involved in reproduction. The first, Luteinizing hormone stimulates production of testosterone in males and is involved in ovulation. The last hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, stimulates production of estrogen and sperms in females and males respectively. The other category of hormones discussed in this article is those distributed by posterior pituitary glands. The first is the Anti-Diuretic Hormone which according to the article regulates the amount of water in the body. The other is oxytocin which is involved in the labor process and milk production. Summary of the three articles The pituitary is pea sized gland located at the base of the brain. Its posterior end is connected to the hypothalamus through a nerve cell which is also referred to as pituitary stalk. The gland is referred to master gland because it produces hormones that control the production of other body hormones. It has two parts, anterior lobe and posterior lobe. Posterior is an extension of hypothalamus. The anterior lobe produces hormones which are transported to target organs such as liver, adrenal glands and ovaries. The posterior lobe does not produce any hormones. However it stores and circulates hormones produced by cells in the hypothalamus. There are six hormones produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The first is the prolactin which stimulates the production milk through contraction in females who are lactating. The second is the growth hormone which stimulates growth in children. The hormone is responsible for maintaining a healthy body conditions in adults. The third is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. As the name suggests, this hormone is involved in the production of thyroid hormones. Its actions are directed at thyroid glands. The fourth is Adrenocorticotropic which stimulates secretion of glucorticoids. The fifth hormone discussed by the three articles is the Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The hormone is involved in ovulation in females and sperm production in males. The sixth hormone is the Luteinizing Hormone which stimulates the production of testosterone in male males and estrogen and progesterone in females. The other two hormones discussed in the three articles are those that are stored and circulated by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. They include Anti-Diuretic Hormone and Oxytocin. ADH is involved in maintaining water balance in the body while oxytocin facilitates birth by making uterus to contract.
Works Cited
Reham, Kelly. "An Overview of the Pituitary Gland." - The Endocrine System's Master Gland. N.p., 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. <http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-pituitary-gland>.
Klibanski, Anne, and Nicholas Tritos. "Pituitary Gland Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. <http://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/pituitary/overview>.
Pituitary Gland." Pituitary Gland. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. <http://homepage.smc.edu/wissmann_paul/intranetstuff/dept/scienceLRC/wissmann_site/pituitary.htm>.
