Railway · State PCS
Which gland is known as the 'master gland' of the human body?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option A — Pituitary gland
Detailed Solution
The pituitary gland, also called the hypophysis, is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, in a bony cavity called the sella turcica. It is attached to the hypothalamus of the brain by a stalk. It weighs only about 0.5 gram.
The pituitary is called the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that control the activity of many other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, the adrenal glands and the gonads (testes and ovaries). However, it is itself controlled by the hypothalamus, which sends releasing and inhibiting hormones to it. So the hypothalamus is sometimes called the "master of the master gland".
The pituitary has two main parts:
Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) secretes:
Growth hormone (GH), which controls body growth. Too much in childhood causes gigantism; too little causes dwarfism. Excess in adults causes acromegaly.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which controls the thyroid gland.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which controls the adrenal cortex.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), which control the gonads.
Prolactin, which stimulates milk production after childbirth.
Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) stores and releases two hormones made by the hypothalamus:
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin), which helps the kidneys reabsorb water. Its deficiency causes diabetes insipidus, with excessive urination.
Oxytocin, which causes contraction of the uterus during childbirth and the release of milk during breastfeeding.
The endocrine system works with the nervous system to control and coordinate body functions. Hormones are chemical messengers carried by the blood to their target organs.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The thyroid gland, in the neck, secretes thyroxine, which controls metabolism; it needs iodine.
- ✗The adrenal glands, above the kidneys, secrete adrenaline, the "fight or flight" hormone.
- ✗The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon, which control blood sugar.
Quick tip
Remember: Pituitary = master gland (GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, prolactin, ADH, oxytocin), controlled by the hypothalamus; adrenaline = emergency hormone; insulin = pancreas.
💬 Discussions on this question
Ask a doubt ›Still stuck on this question? Ask our faculty and fellow students — answers appear here.
Ask a doubtMore Human Body Systems Questions
View all ›More General Knowledge Questions
- Q1.The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?Indian Dance Forms
- Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?Indian Dance Forms
- Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:Indian Dance Forms
- Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?Indian Dance Forms
- Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:Indian Dance Forms
Human Body Systems — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Human Body Systems, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the systems of the human body: the circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous, endocrine, skeletal and muscular systems, the sense organs, and important facts about blood, blood groups, bones and hormones. Common questions ask about the number of bones in an adult (206), the largest and smallest bones (the femur and the stapes), the universal donor blood group (O negative), which gland is called the 'master gland' (the pituitary), and which hormone controls blood sugar (insulin). The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Practise the human body systems questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.