Which gland is compared to the size and shape of a pea and stimulates other endocrine glands to produce hormones?

The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system due to its critical role in regulating various physiological processes through hormone secretion. It is approximately the size and shape of a pea, located at the base of the skull just behind the bridge of the nose.

What makes the pituitary gland particularly important is its ability to stimulate other endocrine glands to produce their hormones. It releases several key hormones known as tropic hormones, which have direct effects on targeted glands—such as the thyroid gland (stimulating it to produce thyroid hormones), adrenal glands (stimulating production of corticosteroids), and gonads (stimulating sex hormones). This interconnectedness allows the pituitary gland to regulate various bodily functions including growth, metabolism, and reproductive processes, thereby maintaining homeostasis in the body.