New Age Gathering

The Pituitary Gland


The Pituitary Gland


The pituitary gland is a roundish organ, about the size of a pea, located just behind the bridge of the nose in the center and at the base of the skull/brain in a depression called the sella turcjca ("Turkish saddle"). It weighs about 1/2 gram (0.018 oz) produces 0.00001 grams of hormone per day, and is attached to the hypothalamus via nerve fibers. It is an important link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.






The pituitary gland consist of three lobes:

(1) anterior (secretes protein hormones)
(2) intermediate
(3) posterior (is an extension of the hypothalumous)

Each lobe produces and releases hormones that affect growth, sexual development, metabolism and the reproduction system, particularly the ovaries and testes as well as the adrenal, kidneys, breasts, intestines, bladder, uterus, stomach and spleen.





The posterior is composed of axons of hypothalamic neurons that extend downward as a large bundle behind the anterior. It also forms the pituitary stalk, which appears to suspend the anterior from the hypothalamous.





The above image on the is the frontal view of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus of a sheep. This image will hopefully give you some idea how the parts of this organ fit together.





Hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary is strictly controlled by hypothalamus hormones. The "hypothalamus" is a cluster of brain cells just above the pituitary gland, which transmits messages from the body to the brain.

For years, the pituitary gland was believed to be the master gland of the body, but now we know that the "hypothalamus" is the true "master gland" of the body. The hypothalamus is the link between the pituitary gland and the brain. It is akin to a way station between the body and the brain. It sorts out the messages to and from the body and responds accordingly through the pituitary gland.

The hypothalamus replies to the needs of the body by nerve impulses to the pituitary gland, which in turn produces the hormones the body's needs. These hormones are then circulated in the blood to the body's tissues, including other endocrines.


Now you know the basic physiological/biological purpose of the pituitary gland.


But what does the pituitary gland have to do with the 6th chakra? and the Third Eye?

Posted by Cougar Friday, March 23, 2007 (02:03:34)