= Pituitary gland
The <pituitary gland> is an <endocrine gland> at the base of the <brain>, connected to the <hypothalamus>. Its <anterior pituitary> contains hormone-secreting glandular <cells>; its <posterior pituitary> contains the terminals of hypothalamic <neurons>. The two regions consequently communicate with the <hypothalamus> in different ways.<Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others>[§17.3, Hypothalamus–Pituitary Complex and anterior/posterior organization]{ref}
For example, the <anterior pituitary> secretes <prolactin>, which promotes milk production, while the <posterior pituitary> releases <oxytocin>, which promotes milk ejection. One organ thus participates in distinct, coordinated stages of a physiological response.<Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others>[§17.3, table 17.3 and Oxytocin]{ref}
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