Hypothalamus & Pituitary Hormones Flashcards
where is the pituitary gland located?
sits in bony pocket at base of the skull, inferior to the hypothalamus
what are 4 notable structures of the pituitary gland?
hypophysial stalk
posterior pituitary
anterior pituitary
pars intermedia
what is the hypophysial stalk?
extension of the brain that attaches the pituitary gland to the brain
what is the posterior pituitary?
extension of the brain containing axons
neuronal secretion occurs here
what kind of cell makes up the anterior pituitary?
epithelial cells
what is the function of the pars intermedia?
separates anterior and posterior pituitary
what are the two major hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary?
vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)
oxytocin
what is the function of ADH in the body?
conserves body water and regulates osmotic pressure of body fluids
how does ADH work to conserve body water?
acts on distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts via cell surface receptors and cAMP formation, which enhances water permeability and rebabsoption
how does ADH get stimulated to conserve body water?
dehydration leads to an increase in osmolarity, which activates the osmoreceptor in brain and leads to ADH secretion
what condition arises when there is a deficiency in ADH?
central diabetes insipidus
what is central diabetes insipidus?
inability to retain water
excess thirst
frequent urination
what are some treatment options for central diabetes insipidus? how would they help?
drugs (clofibrate) to increase ADH secretion or to increase kidney response to ADH (chlorpropamide)
diuretics and dietary salt restriction to increase urine output
what happens when there is an excess of ADH?
excess water retention
headache
drowsiness
nausea
what are some treatment options for excess ADH and how do they help?
drugs (butorphanol) to decrease ADH secretion and reduce kidney response to ADH (demechlocycline)
what is the function of oxytocin in the body?
stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle cells (esp. mammary glands and uterus)
what two occasions causes oxytocin release and what results from this?
1) nursing - suckling reflex stimulates oxytocin release causing contraction of myoepithelial cells in breast to expel milk
2) child birth - oxytocin released during labour to stimulate rhythmic uterine contractions
what has oxytocin been used for clinically?
induce labour
therapeutically postpartum to decrease bleeding
what are 6 major hypothalamic hormones? what other hormones do they affect?
1) corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) - increase ACTH
2) thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) - increase TSH and prolactin
3) gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) - incr. LH and FSH
4) growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) - incr. GH
5) somatostatin - decrease GH
6) dopamine - decr. prolactin