Osmosis video - Pituitary gland histology

The pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a small endocrine gland measuring approximately 1 cm, located at the base of the brain. It has two parts: the anterior pituitary (or adenohypophysis) and the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis).

The anterior pituitary consists primarily of glandular tissue, whereas the posterior pituitary is mainly neural tissue. The pituitary gland is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue and is supported by a network of blood vessels and nerves. The gland is regulated by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain located just above it, which releases hormones that stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary hormones.