Question

The _______ gland produces hormones which stimulate other glands to release their hormones.

Answer 1

Hormones carry out the function of regulating the cellular functions regularly. The gland secretes these hormones that help to regulate the physiological functioning of the body.

Complete answer:
We all are familiar with the "master gland"or the pituitary gland that helps in the regulation of the other hormones that are being produced in the body.
The pituitary gland is located in a bony cavity called as sella turcica and is attached to hypothalamus by a stalk. This gland is divided into adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. Adenohypophysis consists of two portions, pars distalis and pars intermedia.
The par distalis is also called as anterior pituitary that produces growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The par intermedia secreted only one hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). Neurohypophysis is also known as the posterior pituitary that stores and releases hormones named oxytocin and vasopressin. These are actually synthesised by the hypothalamus and transported.
Over secretion of GH Stimulates abnormal growth of the body leading to gigantism and low secretion leads to stunted growth. Prolactin regulates the growth of the mammary glands and helps in the formation of milk. TSH stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. ACTH stimulates the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. LH and FSH stimulate all the gonadal activity and are called gonadotropin.
In males, FSH and androgens regulate spermatogenesis and whereas LH stimulates and secretes androgen hormone. In females, LH induces ovulation of fully mature follicles and maintains a corpus luteum that is formed from the remnants of the graafian follicles after the process of ovulation.
FSH stimulates the growth and development of ovarian follicles in females. MSH works on the melanocytes and regulation in the pigmentation of the skin. Oxytocin acts on the smooth muscles of our body and stimulates their concentration. In females, it stimulates vigorous contraction of the uterus at the time of the delivery of the baby and in milk ejection. Vasopressin acts mainly at the kidney and stimulates reabsorption of water and electrolysis. It is done by distal tubules to reduce water loss. Hence, it is also called as anti - diuretic hormone (ADH).

Note: Pituitary gland is a small pea - shaped gland that plays up a major role in regulating vital body functions and in the general well being of a person. It is referred to as a master gland because it helps to control all the activities of most of the hormone- secreting glands.