Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, the endocrine gland situated at the base of the brain. Under the control of the hypothalamus, it secretes hormones that control other endocrine glands throughout the body as well as hormones that have a direct effect on body growth and metabolism. Important anterior pituitary hormones are growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin, also called adenohypophysis.