The diagram given below represents an endocrine gland in the human body. Study the diagram and answer the following questions: The diagram given below represents an endocrine gland in the human body. Study the diagram and answer the following questions:
Why is the above gland referred to as the ‘Master gland’?
Topic: Pituitary as the master gland
Answer
Because it secretes TROPIC HORMONES that CONTROL THE OTHER ENDOCRINE GLANDS of the body — TSH controls the thyroid, ACTH the adrenal cortex, and FSH and LH the gonads. By regulating them it governs growth, metabolism and reproduction throughout the body.
The reason must be that it controls OTHER GLANDS — that is what "master" means. Listing two or three examples proves the point.
A TROPIC hormone is one whose TARGET is another endocrine gland rather than a body tissue. The tropic family, all from the ANTERIOR lobe: TSH (thyroid), ACTH (adrenal cortex), FSH and LH (gonads).
WORTH ADDING: the pituitary is itself controlled by the HYPOTHALAMUS, to which it is joined by the infundibulum — so the "master" has a master of its own, and the nervous and endocrine systems meet at that point.