What it means
Often called the master gland. It hangs below the hypothalamushy-poh-THAL-uh-musA small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.hypo- belowthalamus inner chamber (a part of the brain)Full entry , which controls it. The front part makes growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormoneTHY-royd STIM-yuh-lay-ting HOR-mohnA hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormone; its blood level is the main thyroid test.Full entry , ACTH (which drives cortisol) and the hormones that control the ovaries and testes. The back part releases antidiuretic hormonean-tee-dy-yoo-RET-ik HOR-mohnA hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the kidneys to hold on to water, making the urine more concentrated.anti- againstdiuretic making urineFull entry and oxytocinok-sih-TOH-sinA hormone that makes the uterus contract and releases breast milk; also given by IV to start or strengthen labor and control bleeding after birth.Full entry made by the hypothalamus.
For the nurse
After surgery on the pituitary (often through the nose), watch for clear drainage from the nose, which may be cerebrospinal fluid, and for large amounts of dilute urine, which may mean diabetes insipidus. Teach the client not to blow the nose, cough hard or bend over.
At a glance
| Spanish | glándula pituitaria, hipófisis |
|---|---|
| Also written | pituitary glands |
Related terms
hypothalamus
A small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.
diabetes insipidus
A disorder of antidiuretic hormone: the body makes too little of it, or the kidneys do not respond to it.
hormone
A chemical messenger made by a gland or organ and carried in the blood to act on cells elsewhere in the body.
antidiuretic hormone
A hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the kidneys to hold on to water, making the urine more concentrated.