also called Hypohysis

hangs from the hypothalamus

has two major parts:

1.  posterior pituitary-secretes 2 hormones

2.  anterior pituitary-secretes 6 hormones

also known as vasopressin

*increases amt of water reabsorbed by the kidneys which decreases urinary output. This maintains normal blood pressure.

vasopressin=vasoconstriction to increase BP

causes contraction of smooth muscle in the uterus and mammary glands.

1. causes uterus to clamp down after childbirth

2. suckling during breastfeeding allows the release of oxytocin causing milk let-down

secretes the following hormones

Growth hormone

TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone

ACTH or adrenocorticotripic hormone

Prolactin

FSH or follicle stimulating hormone

Luteinizing hormone

anterior pituitary-

growth hormone (Somatotropin)

increases cell division in tissues capable of mitosis (growth of cells)

increases the release of fat from adipose tissue

*growth hormone hits in the puberty stage for girls

primary target is the thyroid gland

stimulates growth of the thyroid and the secretion of its two hormones:

T3

T4

targets kidneys

stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex

produced during stressful situations such as injury, disease, and exercise

cortisol is the stress hormone

target area is the mammary glands

initiates and maintains milk production

is NOT secreted until after pregnancy

target area is the Gonadotropic

ovaries and testes

the need for production of estrogen in ovarian follicles

intiates sperm production

another gonadotropic hormone

causes ovulation in women and secretes progesterone and estrogen

stimulates the secretion of testosterone in males

two glands located on the front and sides of the trachea just below the larynx

produces three hormones:

T4

T3

calcitonin

regulate normal energy production and protein synthesis

most important regulator of medabolic rate

functioning of the heart, brain, muscles

target area:  BONES

most important in childhood

The stimulation for secretion of calcitonin? HYPERCALCEMIA

there are four parathyroid glands, two on the back of each lobe of the thyroid gland

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

parathyroid gland

an antagonist to calcitonin to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphate.

Target areas: bones, small intestines, kidneys

Secretion of PTH is stimulated by hypocalcemia

Hard, swollen glands should NEVER be palpated because it may cause thyroid storming

located at the top of each kidney

consists of an inner adrenal medulla and an outer adrenal cortex

secretes epinephrin and norepinephrin

activated by stressful situations

Epinephrine is secreted in LARGER amount than norepinephrine and increases the heart rate and force of heart contractions.

Norepinephrine is responsible for increasing blood blood pressure

EPINEPHRINE --HEART RATE

NOREPINEPHRINE--BLOOD PRESSURE