Neuronal Control of Pituitary Function

Abstract

The pituitary gland secretes a collection of hormones that jointly influence all cells and affect virtually all physiologic processes. The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior), is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe (posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis). The anterior pituitary is the central regulator of the endocrine system, coordinating signals from the hypothalamus centrally and endocrine organs peripherally. The posterior pituitary is not glandular as is the anterior pituitary, but is largely a collection of axonal projections from the hypothalamus that terminate behind the anterior pituitary, and serve as a site for the secretion of neurohypophysial hormones (oxytocin and vasopressin) directly into the blood. The Pituitary gland and the hypothalamus together act as master regulators of the entire endocrine system. Its function is controlled by Humoral, hormonal and neural stimuli. With humoral stimuli the endocrine glands secrete hormones directly according to the concentration of various ions and nutrients in the blood surrounding them. Neural stimuli are involved where hormones are released directly due to stimulation of the endocrine gland by nerves. This review is intended to highlight once again the neural control of pituitary function.