It's often called the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands, including:
* Thyroid gland: Controls metabolism
* Adrenal glands: Regulates stress response and electrolyte balance
* Gonads (testes and ovaries): Controls sexual development and reproduction
* Parathyroid glands: Regulates calcium levels in the blood
The pituitary gland itself is controlled by the hypothalamus, which is a part of the brain.
