The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It is often called the 'master gland' because it releases hormones that control important processes in the body, including growth, metabolism, and the activity of other glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. The pituitary gland has two parts: the anterior pituitary, which makes and releases its own hormones, and the posterior pituitary, which stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus. In GCSE Biology, understanding the pituitary gland helps explain how the endocrine system regulates the body.
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