Which gland is the master gland of the endocrine system?

Which gland is the master gland of the endocrine system?

• A. Pituitary gland
• B. Hypothalamus
• C. Pineal gland
• D. Thyroid gland

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that some endocrine glands act as central coordinators by releasing hormones that regulate other glands throughout the body. The pituitary gland fits this role because its anterior lobe sends out several hormones that trigger other endocrine organs to produce their own hormones or to influence growth and metabolism. For example, thyroid-stimulating hormone prompts the thyroid to release thyroid hormones; adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol; follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones regulate the gonads; growth hormone influences growth and metabolism; and prolactin affects milk production. Because these hormones affect multiple other glands and processes, the pituitary is often described as the master gland. The hypothalamus sits upstream as the control center, sending releasing or inhibitory signals to the pituitary, and the other glands like the pineal, thyroid, and gonads carry out specific functions, but none regulate a wide network of glands as the pituitary does.

The key idea is that some endocrine glands act as central coordinators by releasing hormones that regulate other glands throughout the body. The pituitary gland fits this role because its anterior lobe sends out several hormones that trigger other endocrine organs to produce their own hormones or to influence growth and metabolism. For example, thyroid-stimulating hormone prompts the thyroid to release thyroid hormones; adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol; follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones regulate the gonads; growth hormone influences growth and metabolism; and prolactin affects milk production. Because these hormones affect multiple other glands and processes, the pituitary is often described as the master gland. The hypothalamus sits upstream as the control center, sending releasing or inhibitory signals to the pituitary, and the other glands like the pineal, thyroid, and gonads carry out specific functions, but none regulate a wide network of glands as the pituitary does.