hipófisis

The hypophysis, also known as the pituitary gland, is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, beneath the hypothalamus. It is a crucial component of the endocrine system, responsible for producing and secreting a variety of hormones that regulate numerous bodily functions. The hypophysis is divided into two main lobes: the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.

The anterior pituitary is a glandular tissue that synthesizes and releases several important hormones, including growth hormone (GH), which stimulates growth and cell reproduction; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid gland; adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal cortex; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are gonadotropins involved in reproductive functions; and prolactin, which stimulates milk production.

The posterior pituitary, on the other hand, does not synthesize hormones but stores and releases two hormones produced by the hypothalamus: antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, which regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys; and oxytocin, which plays a role in social bonding, reproduction, and childbirth.

The hypophysis is intricately connected to the hypothalamus through a network of blood vessels and nerve fibers. This connection allows the hypothalamus to control the release of hormones from the pituitary, thus forming a vital regulatory axis that influences metabolism, growth, reproduction, and stress response, among other essential physiological processes. Disruptions to hypophyseal function can lead to various endocrine disorders.