It’s only the size of a pea, but the pituitary gland is so important it’s often called the body’s master gland. So when it doesn’t work right, big problems literally and figuratively arise.

Though the pineal gland wasn’t understood until the 20th century, descriptions of its anatomical location are included in the writings of Galen (ca. 130-ca. 210 CE), a Greek doctor and philosopher.

A recent study found that tumors of the pituitary gland are more common than many health care professionals realize, with national prevalence rates averaging 16.7 percent. To neurosurgeon Dr. Gail ...

The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is the size of a kidney bean, yet is responsible for growth and development, and the function of all endocrine glands.

Vennekens, A., et al. (2021) Interleukin-6 is an activator of pituitary stem cells upon local damage, a competence quenched in the aging gland. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi ...

A recent study found that tumors of the pituitary gland are more common than many health care professionals realize, with national prevalence rates averaging 16.7 percent. To neurosurgeon Dr. Gail ...

Sometimes, pituitary problems are genetic. Usually, people with genetic pituitary disorders get a diagnosis during childhood. What Does the Pituitary Gland Do? Your pituitary gland produces hormones ...

The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is called the master gland because it affects almost all parts of the body.

Pituitary gland disorders occur when the pituitary gland produces too little or too much of certain hormones. Some examples are Cushing’s disease, empty sella syndrome, and acromegaly. Pituitary ...

A version of this article appears in the December 7, 1935 issue of Science News.