Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus and travels down nerve ending from the hypothalamus to be released from the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). ADH is the hormone that is responsible for reabsorbing water back into the blood stream at the level of the kidney.

The anterior pituitary gland releases seven hormones. Four of these are tropic hormones, meaning that they act on other glands to stimulate other hormone activity. These four are follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and thyroid-stimulation hormone. The other three secretions are prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone.

The hormones of the anterior pituitary can be remembered using the mnemonic "FLAT PEG."

Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary, along with antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin).

Oxytocin is a hormone found in both males and females, but serves a more widely recognized role in females. It is released from the posterior pituitary gland, along with antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) hormone. Oxytocin is responsible for stimulating contractions during childbirth and is one of only a few hormones to be controlled via positive feedback.

The pituitary gland is under the control of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus determines which and how much of each hormone the pituitary will release by secreting releasing and/or inhibiting factors. The pituitary gland is connected to the base of the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk.

The anterior pituitary produces seven products : follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone (GH). The posterior pituitary produces oxytocin and anti diuretic hormone (ADH). To remember the anterior pituitary products, think of the mnemonic FLAT PEG:

FSH

LH

ACTH

TSH

Prolactin

Endorphins

GH

The pituitary gland can be further divided into the anterior and posterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary gland creates and secretes its hormones, but the posterior pituitary gland does not create its hormones. Instead, the hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland are created in the hypothalamus, and are then sent to the pituitary gland. The two hormones made in the hypothalamus are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are synthesized and secreted from the anterior pituitary.

The anterior pituitary produces six hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The posterior pituitary releases only two hormones: anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin) and oxytocin.