The answer is C. Pituitary gland The pituitary gland is commonly known as the "master gland" because it controls or influences the activity of many other endocrine glands in the body. Located just below the brain in a small, bony cavity called the sella turcica, the pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus, which helps regulate its functions.The gland is divided into two main parts:Anterior pituitary- Produces hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, stress, reproduction, and lactation.Posterior pituitary- Stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus (like oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone).Important hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary include:Growth hormone (GH) – stimulates growth of bones and tissues.Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – tells the thyroid gland to release hormones.Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) – stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) – regulate reproductive processes.Prolactin – promotes milk production.Because the pituitary gland affects so many other glands and bodily processes, any damage or dysfunction in this small organ can cause widespread problems, such as growth disorders, infertility, or hormonal imbalances.To compare:The thyroid gland regulates metabolism.The adrenal glands handle stress hormones like adrenaline.The pineal gland controls the sleep-wake cycle using melatonin.In Anatomy and Health Science, the pituitary is one of the first glands studied because of how it integrates with systems like the nervous and reproductive systems. Understanding it helps explain puberty, growth issues, and hormone-related conditions.