Gland
Adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)
Glandular pituitary tissue controlled through portal blood
High-yield
Growth hormone and prolactin act on tissues directly; the major anterior pituitary hormones are not all hormones that stimulate another endocrine gland.
Overview
Most anterior pituitary hormone production occurs in the pars distalis. This tissue develops from oral ectoderm in Rathke's pouch, together with the pars tuberalis and the small human pars intermedia. Its endocrine cells respond to hypothalamic signals delivered in blood and to feedback from peripheral hormones.
Reference facts
- Location
- Predominantly the anterior part of the pituitary within the sella turcica; pars tuberalis extends around the stalk.
- Hormones
- Growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, TSH, FSH and LH are the six major circulating hormones.
- Blood supply
- Mainly portal blood reaching the anterior-lobe capillary network; human studies also describe variable direct arterial contributions.
- Innervation
- Hypothalamic control is chiefly through releasing and inhibiting factors carried in portal vessels, rather than axons ending on each endocrine cell.
- Function
- Coordinates growth, lactation and thyroid, adrenal and gonadal activity within feedback-regulated endocrine systems.
Clinical correlation
A prolactinoma can cause inappropriate milk production and impaired reproductive function. Raised prolactin can also result from reduced dopamine delivery through a compressed stalk, so it does not by itself establish a prolactinoma.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) located?
Predominantly the anterior part of the pituitary within the sella turcica; pars tuberalis extends around the stalk.
What does the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) secrete?
The adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) secretes growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, TSH, FSH and LH are the six major circulating hormones.
What does the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) do?
Coordinates growth, lactation and thyroid, adrenal and gonadal activity within feedback-regulated endocrine systems.
What is the blood supply of the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)?
Mainly portal blood reaching the anterior-lobe capillary network; human studies also describe variable direct arterial contributions.