The pituitary gland is situated almost exactly in the centre of the brain and just behind the root of the nose, (see fig. II). It hangs suspended from the underside of the brain in a little cup or cradle. It is about the size of a pea.
This gland has an anterior and a posterior part. The former part is considered the master gland of the endocrine system. It produces no less than nine distinctly different hormones and is concerned with the multiplicity of the vital processes. No part of the body is exempt from its influence. It produces hormones, which stimulate and regulate the activities of the thyroid, adrenal cortex and sex glands. The hormones released by the posterior part are produced in the adjoining hypothalamus; they are stored, possibly modified and distributed by the gland as needed.