read more, affects cells throughout the body and is involved in such important functions as regulating growth of cells, controlling the heart rate, and affecting the speed at which calories are burned. The two halves (lobes) of the gland are connected. In contrast, thyroid hormone, produced in the thyroid gland Overview of the Thyroid Gland The thyroid is a small gland, measuring about 2 inches (5 centimeters) across, that lies just under the skin below the Adam’s apple in the neck. read more, affects only the thyroid gland.
The sella turcica protects the pituitary but allows very little room for expansion. For example, thyroid-stimulating hormone, produced in the pituitary gland Overview of the Pituitary Gland The pituitary is a pea-sized gland that is housed within a bony structure (sella turcica) at the base of the brain. Some hormones affect only one or two organs, whereas others have influence throughout the body. Although hormones circulate throughout the body, each type of hormone influences only certain organs and tissues.
