Pituitary Network Association Announces Winners

Pituitary Network Association Announces Winners To Pituitary Gland Awareness Contest

Pituitary Network Association Awareness Contest

The Pituitary Network Association (PNA) announces winners of their October 2016 Pituitary Gland Contest. 

The PNA Contest was to snap a photo, or draw a picture that showcases the color gray. 

Here is my submission to the PNA Pituitary Awareness Contest:

October 2016 Pituitary Awareness Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My contest submission sums up my longing for a functioning pituitary gland. 

The following provides several answers about the function of the Pituitary Gland and where is the Pituitary Gland located. 

Where Is The Pituitary Gland Located?

The Pituitary Gland is about the size of a pea and is located on a protrusion off the bottom of the Hypothalamus.

Before Sheehan’s Syndrome I was not sure where the pituitary gland or the Hypothalamus was located.

I now know the pituitary gland is located underneath the brain, in the middle of the skull, behind the bridge of your nose and is encased in a saddle-shape box named the Sella Turcica. 

The pituitary gland is situated in a tight space and any abnormal growth, head injury or compression can result in damage to the signal process of the gland.

What Is The Function Of The Pituitary Gland? 

Even through the pituitary gland is only the size of a large pea and weights about .5 grams it plays an essential role in the body’s function. 

The function of the pituitary is an extremely important to your body because it handles the directions and signals of numerous hormones the body needs to survive. 

In fact, the pituitary gland is so significant that it is also known as the, “Master Gland”. 

There are three lobes to the pituitary gland : Anterior Lobe, Immediate Lobe and Posterior Lobe.

The major two lobes of the pituitary gland are the Anterior Lobe and Posterior Lobe.

Each lobe of the pituitary has its own functions:

The Anterior Lobe

Functions in the development of the body, reproduction and sexual maturation.

The hormones produced by the anterior lobe:

  • adrenal glands
  • thyroid glands
  • regulates growth
  • ovaries and testes.

The anterior lobe also generates prolactin, which enables new mothers to produce milk.

The Posterior Lobe

  • produces antidiuretic hormone
  • Oxytocin 

The antidiuretic hormone produced by the posterior lobe helps the body prevent dehydration. This occurs by retaining water from our kidney and conserving the water in our bloodstream.

Oxytocin aids in uterine contractions during childbirth and stimulates the production of breast milk after childbirth.

The Intermediate Lobe

  • Stimulates Melanocytes

The Melanocytes are cells that control pigmentation through the production of melanin.

I hope the above pituitary gland information has been helpful. 

I would like to thank the Pituitary Network Association for the awareness and resources they have created. 

Here is the link to the, Pituitary Network Association website.

I am honored that PNA chose my pituitary gland drawing as one of their Pitutary Gland Awareness Contest winners. A big thank you for the gift card, much appreciated. 

 

Additional pituitary gland resources and support groups can be found on this HypoGal weblink. 

You can find additional shortcuts to living with a chronic illness on the HypoGalBlog

My story with the pituitary gland disease, Sheehan’s Syndrome can be found on HypoGal, My Story. 

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