posterior pituitary
Brain's hormone releaser
The posterior pituitary is the back portion of the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain.
Unlike the anterior pituitary, it doesn't produce hormones but stores and releases hormones made in the hypothalamus—primarily oxytocin (involved in childbirth and bonding) and vasopressin (regulating water balance).
Also called the neurohypophysis.
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- labor inductionArtificially starting childbirth
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
- hyponatremiaInsufficient blood sodium levels
- antidiuretic hormonePituitary peptide reducing urination
water balance · aquaporins · osmoregulation · neurohormones · hypothalamus · uterine contractions · kidneys · gland · axons · water · contractions · blood pressure regulation · ADH · blood pressure · hormones · secretion · thirst · bonding
- endocrine glandsadrenal gland, adrenal glands, adrenals, adrenal, parathyroid glands
- glandssalivary gland, adrenal glands, sweat gland, adrenal gland, sebaceous gland
- Endocrine Systemhypothalamus, hormones, endocrine gland, growth hormone, prolactin
- neurohormonesneurohormone, neurohormones, neuroendocrine, ADH, antidiuretic hormone
- pituitarymaster gland, growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, LH
- pituitary glandbasophils