3 Hypothalamus Pituitary Flashcards

1
Q

Which endocrine gland sits at the base of the brain in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone?

A

Pituitary gland

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2
Q

T/F: The neurohypophysis receives blood from a branch of the Superior Hypophyseal Artery.

A

F; the adenohypophysis receives blood from a branch of the Superior Hypophyseal Artery.

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3
Q

Which vessels connect the primary and secondary hypophyseal plexuses?

A

Long hypophyseal portal veins

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4
Q

What are the main functions of the hypophyseal portal system?

A

1) facilitate communication between hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
2) allow high concentrations if hypothalamic inhibiting and releasing hormones to reach anterior pituitary

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5
Q

What are synaptosomes?

A

Neurosecretory granules in the nerve terminals of hypothalamic neurons that store releasing and inhibiting hormones.

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6
Q

After stimulation of hypothalamic cells, releasing or inhibitory hormones are discharged into the _____ and enter the capillary plexus.

A

Median eminence

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7
Q

T/F: The intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland is absent in humans but present in lower animals.

A

T

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8
Q

The anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland are also known as…?

A

Anterior = adenohypophysis, posterior = neurohypophysis

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9
Q

What are the five types of specialized secretory cells in the adenohypophysis?

A

Somatotrophs, mammotrophs, corticotrophs, gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs

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10
Q

Which of the five specialized secretory cells in the adenohypophysis is most abundant?

A

Somatotrophs, 40 - 50% of cells

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11
Q

Which of the five specialized secretory cells in the adenohypophysis is least abundant?

A

Thyrotrophs, 3-5% of cells

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12
Q

Which of the five specialized secretory cells in the adenohypophysis secretes prolactin?

A

mammotrophs/lactotrophs

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13
Q

What hormone(s) do gonadotrophs secrete?

A

LH and FSH

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14
Q

What hormone(s) do somatotrophs secrete?

A

Growth hormone

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15
Q

What is the most common pituitary tumor?

A

prolactinoma

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16
Q

T/F: tropic hormones regulate the secretion of hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones.

A

F; the opposite is true

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17
Q

Which hormone stimulates the release of ACTH?

A

Corticotropin-releasing hormone

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18
Q

Which hormone tonically inhibits prolactin (PRL) release?

A

Prolactin inhibitory factor, AKA dopamine

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19
Q

T/F: hypothalamic releasing hormones are generally secreted tonically.

A

F: they are secreted in pulses.

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20
Q

Do hypothalamic hormones act on cytoplasmic or membrane receptors?

A

Membrane receptors

21
Q

T/F: hypothalamic releasing hormones can only stimulate the release of stored target hormones via exocytosis and do not affect hormone synthesis.

A

F; hypothalamic releasing hormones both stimulate the release of stored target hormones via exocytosis and stimulate systhesis at the transcriptional level.

22
Q

T/F: hypothalamic releasing hormones can modify the biological activity of target hormones by post-translational effects such as glycosylation.

A

T

23
Q

T/F: hypothalamic releasing hormones cannot modulate their effects by up- or down-regulation of their receptors.

A

F

24
Q

What are the two classifications of feedback signals that influence the Hypothalamic-pituitary axis

A

Humoral and neural feedback

25
Q

Long-loop, short-loop, and ultrashort-loop feedback are all examples of what type of feedback?

A

Humoral feedback

26
Q

T/F: long-loop feedback is usually positive.

A

F; it is usually negative

27
Q

At what point in life are levels of growth hormone highest?

A

During childhood; GH peaks during puberty.

28
Q

What are the major metabolic effects of GH?

A

increased rate of protein synthesis in all cells, increased mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue and increased use of fatty acids for energy, and decreased rate of glucose utilization.

29
Q

The growth promoting effects of Growth Hormone are mediated by ______.

A

IGF-1, AKA somatomedin C

30
Q

For an illustration detailing GH’s mechanism of action…

A

See pg 9 of notes.

31
Q

In what four ways does GH affect protein synthesis?

A

1) enhances transport of amino acids across plasma mem
2) enhances mRNA translation on ribosomes
3) increases nuclear transcription
4) reduces breakdown of proteins

32
Q

In what two ways does GH affect fat utilization?

A

1) causes release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue

2) promotes utilization of free fatty acids as energy source

33
Q

T/F: Normal GH level is not required for insulin secretion

A

F

34
Q

How does excess growth hormone contribute to “pituitary diabetes”?

A

1) excess GH decreases glucose uptake by insulin sensitive tissues
2) insulin secretion increases to compensate for insulin resistance
3) excess GH also causes increased output of glucose by liver

35
Q

How does GH stimulate cartilage and bone growth?

A

1) increases deposition of protein by chondrocytes and osteogenic cells
2) increases rate of division in these cells
3) stimulates conversion of chondrocytes into osteogenic cells
4) stimulates osteoblasts and increases thickness of bone

36
Q

T/F: GH’s effects on bone growth are dependent on Somatomedin C/IGF-1.

A

T

37
Q

Hyposecretion of GH during development results in what clinical condition?

A

Dwarfism

38
Q

Hypersecretion of GH during development results in what clinical condition?

A

gigantism

39
Q

Hypersecretion of GH in adulthood results in what clinical condition?

A

acromegaly

40
Q

What clinical condition is marked by enlarged hands and feet, bulbous nose, enlarged internal organs, and “barrel chest”?

A

acromegaly

41
Q

T/F: The ADH mechanism of action is dependent on PLC and PKC.

A

F; it works through the cAMP and PKA pathway

42
Q

What hormone results in phosphorylation of intracellular aquaporin channels and their subsequent relocalization to the apical cell membrane?

A

ADH

43
Q

Hyposecretion of ADH results in what clinical condition?

A

Diabetes insipidus

44
Q

Hypersecretion of what hormone leads to swelling of brain, convulsions, and coma?

A

ADH

45
Q

what is the primary function of oxytocin?

A

stimulation of milk ejection from lactating mammary gland

46
Q

what is the major stimulus for oxytocin release during breastfeeding?

A

suckling by infant

47
Q

T/F: stimulation of uterine contractions by oxytocin may not be essential for normal labor.

A

T

48
Q

What roles does oxytocin play in males?

A

stimulates contractions of reproductive tract to aid in sperm release, has paracrine role in stimulating contractility of seminiferous tubules, epididymus and prostate gland.

49
Q

where is Oxytocin synthesized in males?

A

within testes, epididymus, and prostate gland; receptors are present throughout reproductive tract