Endocrine Flashcards
What functions does the hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulate?
Regulates the functions of; thyroid, adrenal, osmoregulation, reproductive glands, growth and milk production and secretion
Describe the structure of the pituitary and what is the other name?
Hypophysis, consists of an anterior (adenohypophysis) and a posterior (neurohypophysis) lobe. The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary by a thin stalk called infundibulum
What tissue makes up the posterior pituitary? What does this secrete and where do they act?
The neurohypophysis is made of neural tissue. The posterior pituitary is a collection of axons, whose bodies are in the hypothalamus. This secretes neuropeptides (as they are secreted from nerve cells) anti-diuretic hormone (acts on kidney and arterioles) and oxytocin (Brest and uterus).
What tissue makes up the posterior pituitary? What does this secrete and where do they act?
The neurohypophysis is made of neural tissue. The posterior pituitary is a collection of axons, whose bodies are in the hypothalamus. This secretes neuropeptides (as they are secreted from nerve cells) anti-diuretic hormone (acts on kidney and arterioles) and oxytocin (Brest and uterus).
Where are the cell bodies of the neurons which secrete ADH and oxytocin located ?
The cell bodies are located in the supraotic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. The neuropeptide hormones are produced by both, but ADH is mainly secreted by supraoptic while oxytocin by the paraventricular nuclei
What is the adenohypophysis, what tissue is it made of and why?
It is the anterior pituitary and it is made of endocrine cells - the gland derives from the primitive foregut, hence the endocrine cells
What is the adenohypophysis, what tissue is it made of and why?
It is the anterior pituitary and it is made of endocrine cells - the gland derives from the primitive foregut, hence the endocrine cells
What 7 hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete?
1) thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh)
2) follicular stimulating hormone (fsh)
3) leutenising hormone (LH)
4) growth hormone
5) prolactin
6)adenocorticotroic hormone ACTH)
7) melanocyte stimulating hormone
How do the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary communicate ?
In both neuronal and endocrine manner. They are linked by the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal blood vessels
Why does the hypothalamus have its own portal venous system?
The hypophyseal portal vessels allow the hypothalamus to communicate directly with the anterior pituitary. This allows it to;
1) release high concentrations of hypothalamic hormones that are delivered directly to the anterior pituitary
2) the hypothalamic hormones are isolated from the systemic circulation
What is the the TRH-TSH-thyroid system
thyroid releasing hormone (trh) is released from the hypothalamus-> secreted into the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal vessels -> reaches anterior pituitary and stimulated thyroid stimulating hormone secretion (tsh) -> tsh enters systemic circulation and delivered to thyroid gland -> T3 released
Of the 6 anterior pituitary hormones, which are secreted by the same cell type? Which one is it?
What are the other cell types the secrete the other hormones ?
FSH and LH are both secreted by gonadotrophs
TSH - Thurotrophs
ACTH- corticotrophs
GH- somatotrophs
Prolactin - lactotrophs
What are pituitary hormone families ? Which ones are there
Hormones of the anterior lobe are organised in families based on their structural and functional homology.
1)TSH, FSH and LH family
2) acth family
3) GH and prolactin are a family
Define the structure of the FSH, LH and TSH family ?
They are composed of alpha and beta subunits. The alpha are all the same and transcribed from the same gene -> inactive component. The beta subunit is different and is the active unit . These are glycoproteins
What are POMC
Pro-opiomelanocortin; this is the common precursor for the hormones in the ACTH (anterior pituitary ) family
What hormones are included in the acth family ?
ACTH, Gama and beta lipoprotein, beta-endorphin, and melanocyte stimulating hormone
What is somatotropin ?
This is growth hormone. Growth hormone is synthesised by somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary
What allows for the synthesis of growth hormone?
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) is released from the hypothalamus (hypothalamic releasing hormone) which results in growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary
What is the pulsatile release of growth hormone and how does this change through life?
GH is released throughout life in pulses every 2 hours. The biggest pulse is 1h post falling asleep.
GH release increases in early childhood. There is a massive release in puberty, induced in females by oestrogen and in males by testosterone. These the decline throughout adult hood
What are potent inhibitors of growth hormone release suppression ?
Hypoglycaemia and starvation