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Pituitary Physiology and Endocrinology

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Atlas of Sellar and Parasellar Lesions

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Abstract

The hypothalamic-pituitary unit plays a vital role in several crucial bodily functions. The hypothalamus integrates stimuli from a wide array of sources to control behavioral, metabolic, and autonomic processes. Homeostatic mechanisms governed by the hypothalamus include water metabolism, appetite control, temperature regulation, sleep-wake cycles, and autonomic functions. It also plays a role in memory, behavior, and emotions. Importantly, the hypothalamus regulates the production and secretion of pituitary hormones. Through this function, it serves a critical role in the integration of neural and hormonal activity.

The pituitary gland, under control from peripheral hormonal feedback, intrapituitary paracrine action, and hypothalamic signaling, has a profound role in the endocrine and metabolic function of the body.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Miriam Padilla MD

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Pituitary Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    John Carmichael MD

Authors
  1. Miriam Padilla MD
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  2. John Carmichael MD
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Correspondence to John Carmichael MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Gabriel Zada

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, USA

    M. Beatriz S. Lopes

  3. Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA

    Srinivasan Mukundan Jr.

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA

    Edward R. Laws Jr.

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Padilla, M., Carmichael, J. (2016). Pituitary Physiology and Endocrinology. In: Zada, G., Lopes, M., Mukundan Jr., S., Laws Jr., E. (eds) Atlas of Sellar and Parasellar Lesions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22855-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22855-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-22854-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-22855-6

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