Endocrine I Flashcards
What are the two general population of cells in the hypothalamus?
Neurons and special neurons
What do “special” neurons in the hypothalamus secrete?
Hypothalamic neurosecretory hormones
What organ does the hypothalamus regulate?
Pituitary gland
Where are hypothalamic neurosecretory hormones synthesized? Stored? Terminate?
- Made in Hypothalamus
- Stored in axon terminals
- Terminate in the median eminence
Where do the hypothalamic neurosecratory transmitters go when released? (3)
- Primary capillary plexus
- Hypophyseal portal veins
- Secondary capillary plexus
Where do endocrine glands release their product?
ECS and into the bloodstream
What is the main function of the hypothalmus?
integration of endocrine and autonomic functions
What is the flow of transmission from the hypothalamus to the target organs?
pituitary gland
Hormones
Target organs
The releasing or inhibiting hormones / factors pass into what structure?
the parenchyma of the
anterior lobe of the pituitary to influence secretory cells there
What part of the primary and secondary plexus aids in the uptake of neurotransmitters?
Fenestration
What is the difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary?
Anterior is glandular
Posterior is neuron
What are the two general cell populations in the anterior pituitary?
Chromophils
Chromoephobes
What are the two types of chromophils in the anterior pituitary?
Acidophils
Basophils
What color do acidophils stain?
Orange-red
What are somatotropes?
Acidophil
What are the six hormones released by the pituitary?
- Growth Hormone-releasing hormone
- Prolactin-releasing hormone
- Prolactin inhibitory factor
- Corticotropin-releaseing hormone
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone releaseing hormone
- Gonadotropin-releaseing hormone
What is the function of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) ?
stimulates the secretion of somatotropin (growth hormone, GH)
What is the function of Prolactin-Releasing Hormone (PRH)?
stimulates the secretion of prolactin
What is the function of Prolactin-Inhibitory Factor (PIF)?
inhibits the secretion of prolactin
What is the function of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)?
stimulates the secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)
What is the function of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone-Releasing Hormone (TSH-RH)?
stimulates the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
What are the two functions of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)?
- stimulates the secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
2. stimulates the secretion of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Where are the cell bodies of the neurosecratory cells of the hypothalamus housed?
In the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
What is the function of the neurosecratory cells in the hypothalamus?
Synthesize vasopressin (ADH), oxytocin, and neurophysin
What is the function of neurophysin? What produces it?
Produced by the hypothalamus, and carries ADH + oxytocin
What is the hypothalamohypophyseal tract?
Collection of neurosecratory cells’ unmyelinated axons that carries oxytocin and ADH to the Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland into capillaries
What are the two divisions of the pituitary gland?
Adenopophysis (anterior)
Neurohypophysis (posterior)
What is the anterior pituitary covered by? What does it consist of (3)?
- covered by a fibrous CT capsule
2. Contain cords of cells, reticular fibers, and fenestrated capillaries
What is the function of the fenestrated endothelial lining of the anterior pituitary?
Permits the diffusion of releasing factors into the gland
Permits products pass to capillaries
What are the two types of cells found in the anterior lobe?
Chromophils
Chromophobes
What are the two types of chromophils?
Acidophils
Basophils
What color do acidophils of the anterior pituitary stain?
Orange-red with acidic dyes
What are the two types of acidophils found in the anterior pituitary?
Somatotropes
Lactotropes
What is the function of somatotropes?
Secrete somatotropin (GH) which increases metabolic rates and influences long bone growth
Excessive GH causes what?
Gigantism and acromegaly
What are somatotropes stimulated by? Inhibited?
Stimulated by GHRH
Inhibited by Somatostatin
What is the function of the chromophil lactotropes?
produce prolactin which promotes
mammary gland growth during
pregnancy & lactation following birth