Jennifer Stewart
The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is a pea-sized endocrine gland located near the base of your brain, behind the bridge of your nose, and directly beneath the hypothalamus. It is housed in the sella turcica, a sphenoid bone depression. The pituitary is known as the "master gland" because it not only secretes its own hormones but also instructs other glands to do so. The front (anterior) lobe and the back (posterior) lobe are the two primary portions of our pituitary gland. A stalk of blood vessels and nerves connects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is responsible for regulating a variety of biological functions as well as managing hormone levels throughout the body. It is a pea-sized or cherry-sized growth at the base of the brain.