524 A TEXTBOOK OP PHYSIOLOGY 



The function of the anterior lobe is suggested by clinical records 

 of the results which accompany its disease; thus the affection known 

 as " acromegaly " is associated with a hypertrophy of the anterior 

 lobe. This affection begins about puberty, and is characterized by 

 progressive increase in the size of the face and limbs (Fig. 261). The 

 disease runs a slow course to a fatal issue. Some attribute the 

 development of giants to hypertrophy of this organ. Excessive 

 growth is also found associated with hypertrophy of the cortex of the 

 suprarenal gland, and there may be some internal secretion common 

 to the two glands which stimulates growth. 



It has been suggested that the pituitary gland plays a part in 

 regulating the calcium metabolism of the body. The evidence of 

 this is inconclusive. It is also claimed that the posterior lobe helps 

 to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, and that after its removal an 

 increased tolerance to carbohydrate is induced. 



There is some evidence that the pituitary interacts with the 

 thyroid and sexual glands, especially the ovary. Thus, after extirpa- 

 tion of the tlryroid the pituitary is said to show an increase of colloid 

 material, while during pregnancy, it is stated that the pituitary 

 increases in size an effect also produced by removal of the ovaries 

 in women and in animals. 



The Pineal Body is a small pinkish body situated on the dorsal 

 aspect of the brain, underneath the posterior region of the corpus 

 callosum. It consists chiefly of neuroglial and secretory cells, made 

 up into a number of follicles often resembling adenoid tissue. There 

 is little physiological evidence of any internal secretion of this body. 

 Clinically, it is suggested that disease of the gland is associated in some 

 cases with obesity, in others with abnormal sexual development and 

 giganfcism. 







