Pituitary gland is considered as master gland, because it controls all other endocrine glands.
It is popularly called as the master gland because it seems to control all other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is a small projection (about the size of a pea), which hangs from the base of the mid – brain.
Pituitary gland has two distinct lobes, the anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary (the entire pituitary gland weighs only about one – half gram). Anterior pituitary hormones produces both tropic and non – tropic hormones. 4 tropic hormones are TSH – Thyroid – stimulating hormone, FSH – Follicle stimulating hormone. LH – Luteinizing hormone, ACTH – Adrenocorticotropic hormone. Each stimulates hormones for development and metabolism. Growth hormone (GH) promotes growth and has metabolic effects, stimulates growth factors. Non – tropic hormones are; Prolactin – stimulate lactation, Melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) – skin pigmentation and fat metabolism. Beta – endorphin – inhibit perception of pain.