Which gland is known as master gland?

BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Applied Anatomy

Easy

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The pituitary gland is called the "master gland" because it produces and secretes hormones that control the activity of many other endocrine glands.
Its anterior lobe secretes key hormones like Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH).
These hormones respectively regulate the thyroid gland, adrenal cortex, and the gonads (ovaries and testes), demonstrating its master regulatory function.
The pituitary gland itself is controlled by releasing and inhibitory hormones from the hypothalamus, forming a crucial link between the nervous and endocrine systems.

Option A: The pineal gland's primary role is to produce melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles). It does not have a primary role in controlling other endocrine glands.
Option C: The pancreas has both endocrine (regulating blood sugar with insulin and glucagon) and exocrine (producing digestive enzymes) functions. It does not regulate other glands.
Option D: The salivary gland is an exocrine gland, not an endocrine gland. It secretes saliva through ducts into the mouth to aid digestion and does not produce hormones that regulate other body systems.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endocrine System: Pituitary Gland Function as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must monitor for signs of pituitary dysfunction, such as changes in growth, blood pressure, vision, or reproductive function, as these can indicate tumors or hormonal imbalances.
Conditions like acromegaly (excess growth hormone in adults) or Cushing's disease (excess ACTH) are direct results of pituitary hyperfunction and require careful nursing management of symptoms and treatment side effects.
What if? If a patient has a tumor on their adrenal cortex that overproduces cortisol (Cushing's syndrome), the pituitary gland would normally decrease its production of ACTH due to the negative feedback mechanism. This distinction is crucial for diagnosing the source of the hormonal imbalance.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'master gland'.
This is a direct factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the endocrine system's hierarchy.
Recall the primary functions of the major endocrine glands.
The pituitary gland (hypophysis cerebri) is known for producing 'tropic' hormones that stimulate other glands.
Compare this function to the other options: Pineal (sleep), Pancreas (blood sugar), and Salivary (digestion, exocrine). The pituitary is the only one with a primary regulatory role over other glands, making it the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e pp. 213-215, 214-216

E6 Histology Inderbir 11e p. 152-154