Understanding the pituitary gland

The Basics

The pituitary gland secretes hormones which carry messages around the body via the bloodstream. It controls several hormone glands in the body, including the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries and testes, so is often described as the master gland.

Causes of Pituitary Conditions

There are a range of causes for pituitary conditions, the most common being a non-cancerous tumour. Other causes include traumatic brain injury.

Major Endocrine Glands and Other Organs

There are a number of endocrine glands across the body which work together to secrete hormones. There are also several organs that contain endocrine tissue.

What are Hormones?

Hormones are chemicals which circulate in the blood stream and spread around the body to carry messages or signals to different parts of the body.

What is the Pituitary Gland?

The pituitary gland secretes hormones which carry messages around the body via the bloodstream. It controls several hormone glands in the body, including the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, so is often described as the master gland.