function: the pituitary gland secretes hormones that control the secretion of hormones by the other endocrine glands. it is also know as the mother gland.
main problem: disease of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland itself can result to the hypofunction of the pituitary gland. It may be due to the destruction of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
Simmond’s disease (panhypopituitarism) - total absence of all pituitary secretions
Sheehan’s syndrome - post-partum pituitary necrosis. it is likely to happen to women with severe blood loss, hypotension and hypovolemia during delivery
signs and symptoms: weight loss, emaciation, atrophy of all endocrine glands and organs, hair loss, impotence, amenorrhea, hypometabolism, hypoglycemia
complication: coma and death if missing hormone not replaced
