What is the pituitary gland?
The master gland is called the pituitary gland (hypophysis). Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a small, pea-sized gland.
What it is
- A small, pea-sized gland.
- Sometimes called the 'master gland' because its hormones control other endocrine glands.
- Has an anterior (glandular) lobe and a posterior (neural) lobe.
Where it is
- Hangs from the underside of the brain by a short stalk.
- Sits in a bony pocket of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica.
- Directly below the hypothalamus.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
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