The master gland in the body is the pituitary gland. It is located at the base of the brain and controls the release of hormones. Another gland is the thyroid gland, found at the front of the throat It controls the rate at which the body uses oxygen and food. The parathyroid gland controls the minerals needed in building bones. The pancreas is also a gland which controls the body's use of sugar, and it produces a hormone called insulin.