Learning Objectives

• Name the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland
• Describe the target cells/tissues for anterior pituitary hormones
• Discuss the functions of anterior pituitary hormones
• Explain the mechanism that regulates anterior pituitary hormone production
• Describe the regulation of prolactin secretion
• Discuss the symptoms of hypopituitarism

Anterior Pituitary

• how is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?
• name the 5 types of secretory cells?
• name the 7 hormones produced by the anterior pituitary?
• how does disruption of hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal vessels affect hormone levels?

Pathophysiology

• what is hyperprolactinemia?
• what are the symptoms of hyperprolactinemia?
• what may cause hyperprolactinemia?
• what are the symptoms of hypothalamic-pituitary lesions?
• what are the 2 types of pituitary adenomas?
• what is hypopituitarism?