Pituitary Gland Notes for NEET & Class 11 Biology

Diagrammatic representation of the pituitary gland showing anterior pituitary, posterior pituitary, hypothalamus, and hormone secretion.

Pituitary Gland (Master Gland) – Easy NEET Notes 

- Dr.Sanjaykumar Pawar

Introduction

• The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland present at the base of the brain.
• It is called the “Master Gland” because it controls many other endocrine glands.
• It lies in a bony cavity called Sella Turcica of the skull.
• The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus by a stalk.

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Structure of Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is divided into two main parts:

1. Adenohypophysis (Anterior Pituitary)

• It is the front part of the pituitary gland.
• It develops from epithelial tissue.
• It has two regions:
  • Pars distalis
  • Pars intermedia

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A. Pars Distalis (Main anterior pituitary)

It secretes six important hormones:

Hormone	Full Form	Main Function
GH	Growth Hormone	Body growth
PRL	Prolactin	Milk production
TSH	Thyroid Stimulating Hormone	Stimulates thyroid gland
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone	Stimulates adrenal cortex
LH	Luteinizing Hormone	Ovulation/Testosterone secretion
FSH	Follicle Stimulating Hormone	Follicle growth/Spermatogenesis

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B. Pars Intermedia

• Secretes only one hormone:

MSH – Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

• Controls pigmentation of skin.
• Stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin.

Important NEET Fact

• In humans, pars intermedia is poorly developed and almost fused with pars distalis.

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2. Neurohypophysis (Posterior Pituitary)

• Also called Pars Nervosa.
• It does not synthesize hormones.
• It only stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus.

Hormones released by Posterior Pituitary

Hormone	Function
Oxytocin	Uterine contraction and milk ejection
Vasopressin (ADH)	Water reabsorption in kidneys

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Hypothalamus and Pituitary Relationship

• Hypothalamus controls pituitary gland.
• Hormones from hypothalamus reach anterior pituitary through portal circulation.
• Oxytocin and vasopressin are produced in hypothalamus and transported through axons to posterior pituitary.

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Growth Hormone (GH)

Functions

• Stimulates body growth.
• Promotes protein synthesis.
• Helps growth of bones and muscles.

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Disorders of GH

1. Hypersecretion in Childhood → Gigantism

• Excess GH causes abnormal increase in height.

2. Hyposecretion in Childhood → Pituitary Dwarfism

• Low GH causes stunted growth.

3. Hypersecretion in Adults → Acromegaly

• Enlargement of:
  • Jaw
  • Nose
  • Hands
  • Feet
• Facial disfigurement occurs.
• Common in middle age.

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Prolactin (PRL)

Function

• Stimulates growth of mammary glands.
• Helps in milk production after childbirth.

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Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Function

• Stimulates thyroid gland.
• Increases secretion of thyroid hormones:
  • Thyroxine (T4)
  • Triiodothyronine (T3)

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Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Function

• Stimulates adrenal cortex.
• Increases secretion of glucocorticoids like cortisol.

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Gonadotropins (LH and FSH)

Why called Gonadotropins?

• Because they stimulate gonads:
  • Testes in males
  • Ovaries in females

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Functions in Males

LH

• Stimulates Leydig cells of testes.
• Increases secretion of androgens (testosterone).

FSH

• Helps in spermatogenesis.
• Works along with testosterone.

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Functions in Females

LH

• Causes ovulation.
• Converts Graafian follicle into corpus luteum.

FSH

• Stimulates growth of ovarian follicles.
• Helps maturation of ova.

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Oxytocin

Functions

• Causes strong uterine contractions during childbirth.
• Helps in milk ejection from mammary glands.

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Vasopressin / ADH

Functions

• Increases water reabsorption in kidneys.
• Reduces urine output.
• Maintains water balance.

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Important NEET Points

Very Important Facts

• Pituitary gland = Master gland.
• Sella turcica houses pituitary gland.
• Hypothalamus controls pituitary gland.
• Posterior pituitary stores hormones but does not synthesize them.
• GH excess in adults = Acromegaly.
• GH excess in children = Gigantism.
• GH deficiency = Dwarfism.

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Quick Revision Table

Part	Hormones
Anterior Pituitary	GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH
Pars Intermedia	MSH
Posterior Pituitary	Oxytocin, Vasopressin

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Mnemonics for NEET

Anterior Pituitary Hormones

“FLAT PiG”

• F → FSH
• L → LH
• A → ACTH
• T → TSH
• P → Prolactin
• G → Growth Hormone

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NCERT-Based One Liners

• Pituitary gland lies below hypothalamus.
• Posterior pituitary is neural in origin.
• Anterior pituitary is glandular in origin.
• Oxytocin and vasopressin are synthesized in hypothalamus.
• LH and FSH are collectively called gonadotropins.

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NEET Previous Year Concepts Asked Frequently

Frequently Asked Areas

• Hormones of anterior pituitary
• Difference between adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis
• Disorders of GH
• Function of ADH
• Gonadotropin functions
• Hormones synthesized by hypothalamus but released by pituitary

CBSE Class 11 Biology Questions

Chapter: Pituitary Gland & Hormones

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1. MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

MCQ 1

The pituitary gland is located in: A. Thoracic cavity
B. Cranial cavity
C. Sella turcica
D. Vertebral cavity

Answer:

C. Sella turcica

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MCQ 2

The anterior pituitary is also called: A. Neurohypophysis
B. Adenohypophysis
C. Pars nervosa
D. Hypothalamus

Answer:

B. Adenohypophysis

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MCQ 3

Which hormone stimulates body growth? A. ACTH
B. GH
C. TSH
D. PRL

Answer:

B. GH

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MCQ 4

Excess secretion of GH during childhood causes: A. Dwarfism
B. Acromegaly
C. Gigantism
D. Cretinism

Answer:

C. Gigantism

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MCQ 5

Which hormone regulates water reabsorption in kidneys? A. Oxytocin
B. FSH
C. ADH
D. PRL

Answer:

C. ADH

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MCQ 6

LH and FSH are collectively called: A. Steroids
B. Gonadotropins
C. Thyroxins
D. Corticoids

Answer:

B. Gonadotropins

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MCQ 7

Which gland is known as the master gland? A. Thyroid
B. Pineal
C. Pituitary
D. Adrenal

Answer:

C. Pituitary

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MCQ 8

Oxytocin is released from: A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Posterior pituitary
D. Pancreas

Answer:

C. Posterior pituitary

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MCQ 9

MSH is secreted by: A. Pars distalis
B. Pars intermedia
C. Neurohypophysis
D. Hypothalamus

Answer:

B. Pars intermedia

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MCQ 10

Deficiency of GH during childhood causes: A. Gigantism
B. Acromegaly
C. Dwarfism
D. Goitre

Answer:

C. Dwarfism

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2. Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

Q1

What is another name for the pituitary gland?

Answer:

Master gland.

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Q2

Name the hormone responsible for milk production.

Answer:

Prolactin (PRL).

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Q3

Which hormone causes uterine contraction during childbirth?

Answer:

Oxytocin.

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Q4

What is the full form of ACTH?

Answer:

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone.

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Q5

Which hormone is responsible for ovulation?

Answer:

LH (Luteinizing Hormone).

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3. Short Answer Questions (2–3 Marks)

Q1

Differentiate between adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.

Answer:

Adenohypophysis	Neurohypophysis
Anterior pituitary	Posterior pituitary
Glandular in nature	Neural in nature
Produces hormones	Stores and releases hormones

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Q2

Write functions of Growth Hormone.

Answer:

1. Stimulates body growth.
2. Promotes protein synthesis.
3. Helps growth of bones and muscles.

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Q3

Why are LH and FSH called gonadotropins?

Answer:

LH and FSH act on gonads (testes and ovaries), therefore they are called gonadotropins.

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Q4

Write two functions of ADH.

Answer:

1. Increases water reabsorption in kidneys.
2. Reduces urine output.

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4. Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

Q1

Describe the structure and functions of pituitary gland.

Answer:

• Pituitary gland is located in the sella turcica.
• It is attached to hypothalamus by a stalk.
• It has two main parts:
  1. Adenohypophysis (Anterior pituitary)
  2. Neurohypophysis (Posterior pituitary)

Hormones of Anterior Pituitary:

• GH → Body growth
• PRL → Milk production
• TSH → Stimulates thyroid
• ACTH → Stimulates adrenal cortex
• LH & FSH → Reproductive functions

Hormones of Posterior Pituitary:

• Oxytocin → Childbirth and milk ejection
• Vasopressin (ADH) → Water balance

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Q2

Explain disorders related to Growth Hormone.

Answer:

1. Gigantism

• Caused by excess GH during childhood.
• Leads to abnormal increase in height.

2. Pituitary Dwarfism

• Caused by deficiency of GH.
• Results in stunted growth.

3. Acromegaly

• Caused by excess GH in adults.
• Enlarges jaw, nose, hands, and feet.

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5. Assertion and Reason Questions

Q1

Assertion (A): Pituitary gland is called the master gland.
Reason (R): It controls many other endocrine glands.

Answer:

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

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Q2

Assertion (A): Posterior pituitary synthesizes oxytocin.
Reason (R): Oxytocin is synthesized in hypothalamus.

Answer:

Assertion is false but Reason is true.

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Q3

Assertion (A): Excess GH in adults causes acromegaly.
Reason (R): GH stimulates excessive growth of facial bones and extremities.

Answer:

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

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6. Fill in the Blanks

1. Pituitary gland is located in ________.
   Answer: Sella turcica

2. GH stands for ________.
   Answer: Growth Hormone

3. ADH helps in ________ reabsorption.
   Answer: Water

4. LH induces ________ in females.
   Answer: Ovulation

5. MSH is secreted by ________.
   Answer: Pars intermedia

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7. Match the Following

Column A	Column B
1. GH	A. Milk production
2. PRL	B. Body growth
3. TSH	C. Water balance
4. ADH	D. Thyroid stimulation

Answers:

1 → B
2 → A
3 → D
4 → C

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8. Statement-Based Questions

Q1

Statement I: Posterior pituitary stores hormones.
Statement II: Oxytocin is synthesized in hypothalamus.

Answer:

Both statements are correct.

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Q2

Statement I: GH deficiency causes gigantism.
Statement II: Excess GH causes acromegaly.

Answer:

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.

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9. Case Study Questions

Case Study 1

A 14-year-old boy showed excessive increase in height compared to children of his age. Doctors found abnormal secretion of growth hormone.

Questions

Q1

Which hormone is responsible for this condition?

Answer:

Growth Hormone (GH)

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Q2

Name the disorder.

Answer:

Gigantism

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Q3

Which gland secretes GH?

Answer:

Anterior pituitary gland

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Case Study 2

A woman after childbirth was unable to eject milk properly. Doctors suspected deficiency of a hormone released from posterior pituitary.

Questions

Q1

Name the hormone.

Answer:

Oxytocin

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Q2

Which gland releases this hormone?

Answer:

Posterior pituitary gland

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Q3

Where is this hormone synthesized?

Answer:

Hypothalamus

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10. HOTS Questions (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

Q1

Why does acromegaly occur only in adults and gigantism in children?

Answer:

In children, bones are still growing, so excess GH increases height causing gigantism. In adults, bone length stops increasing, so excess GH enlarges bones of face, hands, and feet causing acromegaly.

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Q2

Why is pituitary gland called the master gland despite being controlled by hypothalamus?

Answer:

Pituitary controls many endocrine glands through its hormones, so it is called the master gland, although its activities are regulated by hypothalamus.

PITUITARY GLAND (MASTER GLAND)

• Location
  • Base of brain
  • Inside sella turcica
  • Connected to hypothalamus by stalk
• Divisions
  • 1. Adenohypophysis (Anterior Pituitary)
    • Pars Distalis:
      • GH → Body growth
      • PRL → Milk production
      • TSH → Stimulates thyroid gland
      • ACTH → Stimulates adrenal cortex
      • LH → Ovulation/Testosterone secretion
      • FSH → Follicle growth/Spermatogenesis
    • Pars Intermedia:
      • MSH → Skin pigmentation
  • 2. Neurohypophysis (Posterior Pituitary)
    • Stores hormones from hypothalamus
    • Oxytocin: Uterine contraction & Milk ejection
    • Vasopressin (ADH): Water reabsorption & Reduced urine output
• Hypothalamus Connection
  • Controls pituitary gland
  • Portal circulation → Anterior pituitary
  • Axonal transport → Posterior pituitary
• GH Disorders
  • Hypersecretion (Childhood) → Gigantism
  • Hyposecretion → Pituitary dwarfism
  • Hypersecretion (Adults) → Acromegaly
• Functions of Gonadotropins (LH & FSH)
  • In Males: LH (Testosterone), FSH (Spermatogenesis)
  • In Females: LH (Ovulation), FSH (Follicle development)

Important Facts

• Pituitary is known as the Master Gland.
• Posterior pituitary does not synthesize hormones.
• Oxytocin & ADH are synthesized in the Hypothalamus.
• LH + FSH = Gonadotropins.