4 Flashcards
When does the size of the pituitary increase?
during pregnancy
what is the turkish saddle?
“Turkish saddle”, defines a superior depression of the. sphenoid bone where the pituitary gland sits. The sella turcica originally
how is the location of the optic chiasm and pituitary connected?
pituitary is located behind the optic chiasm
What are the components of the Hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract?
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract is derived from two different ectodermal components:
1) Oral part- Rathke’s pouch: outgrowth of the buccal cavity detaches itself and becomes the ANTERIOR pituitary
2) Neural part- The infundibulum develops from an outgrowth of the neuroectoderm from the floor of the third ventricle. It gives rise to the pituitary stalk, the median eminence and the POSTERIOR pituitary.
hypothalamus organized into discrete __
hypothalamus organized into discrete nuclei
What are the nuclei of the hypothalamus?
a group of similarly functioning neurones
Does anterior pituitary contain many blood vessels?
anterior pituitary is highly vascularized: capillary bed in anterior pituitary is connected to capillary bed in median eminence through portal veins
What is the median eminence
The median eminence is a part of the hypothalamus from which regulatory hormones are released. It is integral to the hypophyseal portal system, which connects the hypothalamus with the pituitary gland
The median eminence is the structure where secretions of the hypothalamus (releasing and inhibiting regulatory hormones, known as “hypophysiotropic hormones”) collect before entering the portal system emptying into the general circulation.
Where are releasing factors released to by the hypothalamus?
Releasing factors are secreted into median eminence that go to pituitary
What is the purpose of the retrograde flow?
Retrograde flow of blood allows for –ve feedback from pit. to hypothalamus
some black gets pushed back to hypothalamus so hypothalamic releasing factors can have an impact on the hypothalamus
What is a nerve plexus
A nerve plexus is a plexus (branching network) of intersecting nerves
The peptides released at the median eminence enter __
The peptides released at the median eminence enter the primary plexus capillaries
anterior vs posterior pituitary in terms of scretions
The anterior pituitary receives signalling molecules from the hypothalamus, and in response, synthesizes and secretes seven hormones. The posterior pituitary does not produce any hormones of its own; instead, it stores and secretes two hormones made in the hypothalamus.
Describe the blood supply of median eminence
Blood coming from the capillary plexus of the median eminence is carried into a capillary bed in the anterior pituitary by long portal veins.
__ are secreted into median eminence that go to __
Releasing factors are secreted into median eminence that go to pituitary
What and where is released by axon terminals of hypothalamic neurones
Axon terminals of hypothalamic neurons release hypophysiotropic hormones in the area of the median eminence
What is the blood vessel that carriers hypothalamic hormones to the anterior pituitary?
portal vein
What is the blood vessels that transport anterior pituitary hormones to the central blood flow?
The pituitary hormones enter the blood stream via the venous capillaries
Where can the receptors for hypothalamic releasing factors be found?
Primarily in pituitary, but can also be found through out the body
their role is unknown
what is posterior pituitary made up of?
Posterior pituitary is composed of the nerve ending (axons) of neurons whose cell bodies are located in the hypothalamus
How are hormones of posterior pituitary made/released?
the nerve ending of hypothalamic hormones that make up the posterior pituitary release hormones into circulation that go out directly to the general circulation
aka from posterior pituitary to circulation
- Hormones (oxytocin and vasopressin) are produced in the cell bodies, packaged into granules which migrate to the ends of the axons located in the posterior pituitary
- Stimulation of neurons in the hypothalamus triggers the release of the hormones from the axon tips located in the posterior pituitary
- The hormones are taken up by capillaries and enter the blood stream
neurotransmitters vs hormones
neurotransmitters go from one neurone to other, hormones go from neurones into circulation
What are the roles of SON and PVH
supra optic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus release oxytocin and vasopressin directly into the circulation in posterior pituitary
What are projection neurones?
projection neurones are neurones that connect one neurone to the other
hypothalamus has both projection and neurosecretory neruoens
What are the 3 main classes of hypothalamic neurones? and their locations
Magnicellular Neuron-Location: SON, PVH
Parvicellular Hyposeotropic Neurone. Location: PeVH, PVH, Arc
Hyptohalamic Projection Neuron: PVH, LHA, Arc
describe Magnicellular Neuron
Magnocellular neurons (MCN) are neuroendocrine cells located in the hypothalamus; they are among the largest cells in the brain,
major nuclei- supra optic (SON) nucleus and paraventricular nucleus (PVH)
release oxytocin and vasopressin directly into the circulation
these are peptide hormones-> stored in vessicles
receive their names due to anatomical position
these neurones are large compared to other neurones to in NS
Kidney, uterus, Mammary gland
describe Parvicellular Hyposeotropic Neurone
Parvicellular neurones- produce releasing/trophic hormones; spread amongst various nuclei- located around the 3rd ventricle
PVH, PeVH, arcuate nucleus (Arc)
Smaller in size
their granules are only observed in axonal endings
Nerve endings go to the anterior pituitary-> trophic hormones are released by the associated nuclei using this neuron
describe Hyptohalamic Projection Neuron
hypothalamic projection neurones are neurones that connect one neurone to the other
hypothalamus has both projection and neurosecretory neurones
Location: PVH, LHA, Arc
Which cell’s morphology does pituitary’s morphology resemble? What does that mean?
morphology of pituitary cells resembles any of those, who produce a lot of proteins- a lot of ER
thus pituitary cells are peptide producing cells
What are functions/structures of posterior vs anterior pituitary?
posterior pituitary- collection of axons-> releases hormones made in the hypothalamus
anterior pituitary-> receiving inhibiting or stimulating factors from median eminence-> produces hormones itself
What are the 2 divisions found in paraventricular nucleus? WHat are the major hormones released by each?
Magnicellular- Oxytocin, vasopressin
Parvicellular- corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), TRH, vasopressin