pituitary, anterior

pituitary, anterior The front portion of the pituitary gland. Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary influence growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function. These influences are exerted through the effects of pituitary hormones on other endocrine glands, except in the case of growth hormone, which acts directly on cells. The effects of underfunction of the anterior pituitary include dwarfism in childhood and disruption of the other endocrine gland functions that are normally under the control of the anterior pituitary. The results of overfunction of the anterior pituitary include gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults. See also acromegaly; dwarfism, pituitary; gigantism, pituitary. Also known as adenohypophysis.