What is one function of the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland plays a crucial role in the endocrine system as it acts as the "master gland." One of its main functions is to control how other glands throughout the body function. It does this by secreting hormones that either stimulate or inhibit the activity of other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and reproductive glands. For instance, it produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which prompts the thyroid gland to release hormones that regulate metabolism. This regulatory function illustrates the pituitary gland's central role in maintaining hormonal balance and overall physiological homeostasis.