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The below mentioned article provides notes on anterior pituitary gland.
i. Anterior pituitary gland is also known as adenohypophysis.
ii. Secretes a number of hormones which are generally termed as tropic hormones.
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iii. The secretion of hormones from anterior pituitary is regulated by the factors secreted by the hypothalamus (Fig. 6.7).
The hypothalamic factors are of two types, namely:
a. Releasing factors or releasing hormones.
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b. Releasing inhibiting factors or release-inhibiting hormones.
iv. The anterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus by hypothalamohypophyseal portal system. The factors secreted by the hypothalamus reach the anterior pituitary gland through this vascular connection (Fig. 6.8).
v. The cells of the anterior pituitary are grouped into two types namely the chromophobes and chromophils. The chromophils are further divided into acidophils and basophils. Chromophils are the cells which secrete the factors of the hypothalamus which in turn influence the activity of the anterior pituitary gland.
vi. The chromophil cells of the anterior pituitary are named based on the hormone they secrete.
Examples are:
a. Somatotropes which secrete growth hormone.
b. Lactotropes which secrete prolactin.
c. Thyrotropes which secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone.
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d. Gonadotropes which secrete follicular-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.
e. Corticotropes which secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone, beta lipotropins and beta endorphins.
