Anterior pituitary

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753

The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis, from Greek adeno, "gland"; hypo, "under"; physis, "growth"; hence, glandular undergrowth) comprises the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is part of the endocrine system. Unlike the posterior lobe, the anterior lobe is genuinely glandular, hence the root adeno in its name.

Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary produces and secretes several peptide hormones that regulate many physiological processes including stress, growth, and reproduction.

## Regions

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The term "pars distalis" is sometimes used as a synonym for the the anterior pituitary, but this is not quite correct. The anterior pituitary is usually divided into three regions:

* pars distalis ("distal part") - the majority of the anterior pituitary
* pars tuberalis ("tubular part") - a sheath extending up from the pars distalis and wrapping around the pituitary stalk
* pars intermedia ("intermediate part") - sits between the bulk of the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary and is often very small in humans

The function of the tuberalis is not well characterized, and most of the rest of this article refers primarily to the distalis.

## Embryology

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Unlike the posterior pituitary (pars nervosa), which originates from neural ectoderm, the anterior pituitary arises from an invagination of the oral mucosa called Rathke's pouch (which is itself ectoderm derived).

This differentiation is exhibited by the fact that while the posterior pituitary merely secretes those hormones produced in the hypothalamus (ADH and oxytocin), the anterior pituitary actually produces its hormones, while being under control of the hypothalamus as to when they should be secreted.

## Major hormones secreted

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Hormone  | Other names  | Symbol(s)  | Secretory cells (staining type)  | Target  | Effect

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Adrenocorticotropic hormone | Corticotropin  | ACTH  | Corticotrophs (basophil)  | Adrenal gland | Secretion of glucocorticoids
Endorphins | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | Inhibit perception of pain
Follicle-stimulating hormone | \-  | FSH  | Gonadotrophs (basophil)  | Ovaries, Testes | Growth of reproductive system
Growth hormone | Somatotropin  | GH, STH  | Somatotrophs (acidophil)  | Liver, adipose tissue | Promotes growth; lipid & carbohydrate metabolism
Luteinizing hormone (females), Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (males)  | Lutropin  | LH, ICSH  | Gonadotrophs (basophil)  | Ovaries, Testes | Sex hormone production
Prolactin | \-  | PRL  | Lactotrophs, also known as Mammotrophs (acidophil)  | Ovaries, mammary glands | Secretion of estrogens/progesterone; milk production
Thyroid-stimulating hormone | Thyrotropin  | TSH  | Thyrotrophs (basophil)  | Thyroid gland | Secretion of thyroid hormones

A useful acronym for the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary is 'FLAT PEG' (FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, Endorphins, GH).

## Hypothalamic releasing and release-inhibiting factors

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Hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland is regulated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus. Neuroendocrine neurons in the hypothalamus project axons to the median eminence, at the base of the brain. At this site, these neurons can release substances into small blood vessels that travel directly to the anterior pituitary gland (the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal vessels).

Name | Other Names | Abbreviations | Location | Function

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Corticotropin-releasing hormone | Corticotropin-releasing factor, Corticoliberin | CRH, CRF | parvocellular neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus | with vasopressin, stimulates secretion of ACTH
Dopamine | Prolactin-inhibiting hormone | DA, PIH | neuroendocrine neurons of the arcuate nucleus | inhibits secretion of prolactin
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone | Luteinising-hormone releasing hormone | GnRH, LHRH | neuroendocrine neurons in the medial preoptic and arcuate nuclei | stimulates secretion of LH and FSH
Growth hormone-releasing hormone | Growth-hormone-releasing factor, somatocrinin | GHRH, GHRF, GRF | arcuate nucleus neuroendocrine neurons | stimulates secretion of growth hormone
Somatostatin | Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone, Somatotropin release-inhibiting factor | SS, GHIH, SRIF | neuroendocrine neurons of the periventricular nucleus | inhibits secretion of growth hormone
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone | Thyrotropin-releasing factor, Thyroliberin, Protirelin | TRH, TRF | parvocellular neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular and anterior hypothalamic nuclei | stimulates secretion of TSH
Vasopressin | Arginine vasopressin, Antidiuretic hormone, Argipressin | AVP, ADH | parvocellular neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus | with Corticotropin-releasing hormone, stimulates secretion of ACTH

## Additional images

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* The anterior pituitary is the anterior, glandular lobe of the pituitary gland.

## See also

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* Tropic hormones
* Pituitary adenoma
* Triple bolus test

## External links

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* Histology image: 14002loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
* Embryology at unc.edu

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