The Pituitary Gland-Hormones

The pituitary gland is located in a bony cavity called sella tursica and is attached to  hypothalamus by a stalk . It isdivided anatomically into an adenohypophysis and a neurohypophysis.
Adenohypophysis consists of two portions, pars distalis and pars intermedia.

• The pars distalis region of pituitary, commonly called anterior pituitary, produces growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle
  stimulating hormone (FSH). 
• Pars intermedia secretes only one hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). However, in humans, the pars intermedia is almost merged with pars distalis. 
• Neurohypophysis (parsnervosa) also known as posterior pituitary, stores and releases two hormones called oxytocin and vasopressin, which are actually synthesised by the hypothalamus and are transported axonally to neurohypophysis.

The hormones and functions of pituitary gland is given in the following table.