6.2 Physiology of the Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
regulates the internal environment and maintains homeostasis
What does the hypothalamus help control?
heart rate
body temperature
water balance
glandular secretions of the pituitary gland
Where is the pituitary gland located?
below the hypothalamus
What are the two portions of the pituitary gland?
anterior and posterior
What in the brain illustrates the overlap between the nervous system and endocrine system?
structural and functional relation between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary gland
How is the posterior pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?
stalk like structure
What are the neurons in the hypothalamus known as?
neurosecretory cells
What are neurosecretory cells and where are they found?
cells that respond to both neurotransmitters and produce hormones
found in the hypothalamus
Where do the hormones pass from the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary?
pass through axons from the neurosecretory cells to the posterior pituitary
What are the two major hormones that the posterior pituitary store?
ADH
oxytocin
What is ADH also known as?
vasopressin
What is the function of ADH?
promote the reabsorption of water from the collecting ducts causing dilution of the blood
What are the collecting ducts?
ducts that receive urine that is produced by the nephrons in the kidney
Other than uterine contraction, what else does oxytocin do?
stimulates the release of milk from the mammary glands for nursing
What control the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland?
hypothalamus
