Where is the Pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland sits in a bony hollow called the pituitary fossa. This is behind the bridge of the nose and below the base of the brain, close to the optic nerves. 

What is the Pituitary Gland?

The pituitary gland is an important gland and it is often referred to as the 'master gland', because it controls several of the other hormone glands (e.g. adrenals, thyroid). It is usually about the size of a bean and consists of two parts (often called lobes) - a front part, called the anterior pituitary and a back part, called the posterior pituitary. 

The anterior pituitary makes several important hormones - Growth hormone, puberty hormones (or Gonadotrophins), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, which stimulates the Thyroid Gland to make Thyroxine), Prolactin and Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal stress hormone, Cortisol). The posterior pituitary makes the fluid balance hormone called Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH).

Adult pituitary disease usually consists of a benign growth (often referred to as ‘adenoma’ or ‘tumour’) on the gland.  This can cause the gland to produce excess hormone, or it can block hormone production, or it can be ‘non-functioning’ (hormone production not affected in any way). 

There are other pituitary conditions, such as pituitary Apoplexy, Sheehan’s Syndrome, Empty Sella Syndrome, Craniopharyngioma, MEN 1(Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia), Rathkes Cleft.

What are some of the Symptoms of Adult Pituitary Disease?

The following list shows many of the symptoms associated with pituitary disease.  It covers different pituitary conditions and patients will not display all of these symptoms, only the ones relevant to their particular condition. You should see your GP if you have any of these symptoms but, remember, having some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have a pituitary condition.

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Unexplained weight gain
• Loss of libido
• Feeling dizzy and nauseous
• Pale complexion
• Muscle wasting
• Coarsening of facial features
• Enlarged hands and feet
• Excessive sweating and oily skin
• Moon face (with reddened skin on face)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What are some of the Symptoms of Children's Pituitary Disease?

In children with hypopituitarism from birth (congenital hypopituitarism), the anterior pituitary may be small and the posterior pituitary placed in an abnormal position. Such children often have several hormone deficiencies including growth hormone deficiency. In some children, the optic nerves are thin (Optic Nerve Hypoplasia) and accompanied by the absence of a midline curtain-like structure, the septum pellucidum. The combination of these problems may be associated with hypopituitarism, a condition called Septo Optic Dysplasia. In this condition, there may be problems with fluid balance hormones. This is called Diabetes Insipidus, or water diabetes.
 
In some, hypopituitarism can also be due to brain tumours or head injury. The commonest brain tumour in children causing hypopituitarism is a craniopharyngioma. This tumour starts from the Hypothalamus, the part of the brain above the pituitary gland. The tumour can press on the optic nerves and cause loss of vision. Children with this tumour often pass water more frequently (Diabetes Insipidus).
 
In most children with hypopituitarism, growth is slow due to growth hormone deficiency. This is noticeable when plotting on a growth chart and comparing against the parents' heights. Some children may be tired due to low thyroid hormone levels or low levels of cortisol. In others, puberty may not progress due to a lack of gonadotrophins. Occasionally, some children, especially with septo optic dysplasia or who have had brain radiation, may paradoxically enter puberty earlier than expected.
 
Rarely, the pituitary gland can be large due to a tumour within the gland. Such a tumour may produce excess ACTH and cause a condition called Cushing disease, in which the child becomes overweight. In others, prolactin may be in excess, with milk secretion from the nipples.

• Poor growth
• Loss of vision
• Excessive drinking
• Excessive frequency of passing urine
• Tiredness
• Overweight
• Late puberty
• Early puberty
• Milk secretion
  

The Endocrine system

The endocrine system consists of various glands situated in different parts of the body (as shown above) and each gland produces different hormones which regulate the activity of other organs and tissues in the body.  These hormones are released directly into the blood through the relevant gland.

Click here for further information on endocrine glands

Click here for further information on hormones

This website contains a great deal of information about pituitary conditions, living with pituitary disease as well as a section for medical professionals.  We also have a variety of support services for the pituitary community.  For more information about our services, please click here.
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