Endocrine I Flashcards
What is the key difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
Exocrine: release secretory products into ducts
Endocrine: release secretory products into extracellular space which then passes to bloodstream to target organ
Where is the hypothalamus located?
In the encephalon of the brain
What does the hypothalamus do?
- Coordinates endocrine functions
- Integrates endocrine and ANS functions
What are the two populations of cells within hypothalamus glands?
1) neurons that produce and release neurotransmitters
2) special neurons that produce and release hypothalamic neurosecretory hormones
What is the master endocrine gland?
Pituitary gland
What is the role of the hypothalmus, generally speaking?
1) coordination of endocrine functions
2) integration of endocrine and autonomic functions
Where are hypothalamic neurosecretory hormones syntesized?
neurons of the hypothalamus
Where are hypothalamic neurosecretory hormones stored?
axon terminals
Where do these axon terminals terminate?
median eminence
Where do the hormones go after being released from the axon terminals?
they pass into the primary capillary plexus [the fenestrated capillaries located in the median eminence]
After the primary capillary plexus the hormones drain…
into the hypophyseal portal veins (located in the infundibulum)
After the hypophyseal portal veins, the hormones pass into …
the secondary capillary plexus [the sinusoidal capillaries with fenestrated epithelium located in the anterior lobe of the pituitary]
Where do the releasing or inhibitory hormones pass into to influence secretory cells?
The releasing of inhibiting hormones/factors pass into the parenchyma of the anterior lobe of the pituitary to influence secretory cells there
What does Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone GHRH stimulate?
GHRH stimulates the secretion of somatotropin (aka growth hormone GH)
What does Prolactin-Releasing Hormone PRH stimulate?
PRH stimulates the secretion of prolactin
What does Prolactin-Inhibitory Factor PIH inhibit?
PIH inhibits the secretion of prolactin
What does Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) stimulate?
CRH stimulates the secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)
What does thyroid-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (TSH-RH) stimulate?
[aka Thyrotropin-releasing hormone TRH]
TSH-RH stimulates the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone
What does Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) stimulate?
GnRH stimulates the secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Where are the cell bodies of neurosecretory cells located?
In the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus
What do supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus synthesize?
They synthesize vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone ADH) and oxytocin.
They also synthesize neurophysin (a carrier protein) which binds to the above 2 hormones.
What forms the hypothalamohypophyseal tract?
neurosecretory cells give rise to unmyelinated axons which form the hypothalamohyopophyseal tract
What hormones does the hypothalamohypophyseal tract carry?
vasopressin and oxytocin
Where does the hypothalamohypophyseal tract terminate?
it descends to terminate near the capillaries in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Where are the hypothalamic hormones (ADH and oxytocin) released into circulation?
capillaries in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that drain into the general circulation
What are other names for the anterior pituitary?
The anterior pituitary is also referred to as the pars distalis, pars anterior, and anterior lobe
Describe the anterior pituitary gland (3 things)
1) Covered by a fibrous CT capsule
2) Consists of cords of cells (glandular epithelial tissue) and reticular fibers
3) Contains fenestrated sinusoidal capillaries (of secondary capillary plexus)
What is the purpose of the fenestrated endothelial lining?
Permits the diffusion of releasing factors into gland and permits gland secretory products to pass into capillaries
What are the secretory cells of the anterior pituitary gland ?
Chromophils (acidophils and basophils) and Chromophobes
What does “chromophil” mean?
color friendly
these cells contain secretory granules that have an affinity for dyes
What are the most common cells within the anterior pituitary?
acidophils
What are the two different types of acidophils?
somatotropes and lactotropes
What stimulates somatotropes?
GHRH
What inhibits somatotropes?
Somatostatin
What do somatotropes secrete?
somatotropin (GH)
What is the function of somatotropin?
increases cellular metabolic rates and influences long bone growth
What does excessive GH cause?
gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults
What stimulates lactotropes (mammotropes)?
PRH (Prolactin-Releasing Hormone)
What inhibits lactotropes ?
PIF (Prolactin Inhibitory Factor)
What is the function of lactotropes?
Produces prolactin which promotes mammary gland growth during pregnancy and lactation following birth
What are the three types of basophilic cells found in the anterior pituitary gland?
corticotropes
thyrotropes
gonadotropes
What stimulates corticotropes?
CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone)
What is the function of corticotropes?
Secrete ACTH which stimulates the adrenal cortex
What stimulates thyrotropes?
stimulated by TRH
What inhibits thyrotropes?
T3 and T4 in the blood
What is the function of thyrotropes?
secrete TSH (thyrotropin)
What stimulates gonadotropes?
stimulated by GnRH
What is the function of gonadotropes?
secrete FSH and LH
Functions in male and female reproduction