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Health Encyclopedia   Health Encyclopedia Home  Pituitary Cancer
FAQ  Pituitary Cancer FAQ  Illustration of the brain indicating
the location of the pituitary gland Location of the Pituitary
Gland  Q: What is the pituitary gland?  A: The pituitary gland
is a small gland located behind the nasal sinuses and above the
roof of the mouth at the base of the skull. It is connected to
the hypothalamus, a part of the brain. Together, the two control
the production of many of the important hormones in the body.
The pituitary gland sits in a tight bony space and has little
room to grow or expand when swollen or if there is a tumor.  The
pituitary gland regulates the activity of most of the glands in
the body, including the adrenal and thyroid glands and sexual
hormone production (by regulating ovarian function in women and
testicular function in men). The pituitary gland is considered
to be the main control gland of the neuro-endocrine system.  The
pituitary gl