pituitary gland

a small, but very important ENDOCRINE GLAND at the base of the HYPOTHALAMUS . It has two LOBES , the anterior adenohypophysis and the posterior neurohypophysis. The pituitary secretes HORMONES that control many functions and is itself controlled by hormonal secretions from the hypothalamus. The neurohypophysis stores and releases PEPTIDE hormones produced in the hypothalamus, namely OXYTOCIN and VASOPRESSIN . The adenohypophysis secretes GROWTH HORMONE , GONADOTROPHIN , prolactin (involved in stimulating LACTATION ), ACTH and THYROID -stimulating hormones.