Pituitary gland

Definition

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain, functioning as the master gland of the body by secreting hormones that regulate various physiological processes, including growth, reproduction, and metabolism. It operates under the regulation of the hypothalamus to maintain body homeostasis.

Related terms

Hormone: Chemical substances produced by glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to target organs or tissues, influencing their function and activity.

Hypothalamus: A region of the brain located just above the pituitary gland that links the nervous system to the endocrine system via controlling pituitary gland secretion.

Homeostasis:

The process by which an organism or cell maintains internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes