hypothalmus and pituitary Flashcards
what system is the hypothalamus a part of and what does it act as an interface to?
is a part of the CNS and acta as an interface between the brain and endocrine system
what gland do the hypothalmus control
controls the pituitary
what type of tissues is the pituitary composed of and why
distinct neural and endocrine tissue bc it recieves both neural and endocrine signals from the hypothalmus
what are the 3 modes of hypothalmic control over the endocrine system
1) hypothalmic neurons secrete regulatory hormones that control the release of a 2nd hormone from the anterior pituitary
2) hypothalmic neurons release hormones directly into the blood via the posterior pituitary ( ADH and oxytocin)
3) hypothalmus exerts direct neural control over the endocrine cells of the adrenal medulla (secretion of epinephrine and nor epinephrine)
what do pituitary hormones directly regulate
metabolic rate, body growth, water balance, lactation
what other glands do pituitary hormones regulate
- thyroid
- adrenal
- repro glands
what is considered the master gland and why
- the hypothalmus and pituitary system functions as a master gland
- bc they release hormones that regulate the output of several other endocrine glands
how does the the hypothalmus/ pituitary affect peripheral tissues
- give an example
- directly affect other tissues
- ex) prolactin in regulation of milk production
2 parts of the pituitary
- posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)
- anterior pituitary ( adenohypophysis)
what is the origin of the posterior pituitary and how is it in communication with the hypothalmus
it is of neuralectoderm origin and has axons that project from the hypothalmus to nerve terminals that release hormones into the blood
what is the origin of the anterior pituitary and how is the anterior pituitary in communication with the hypothalmus
-oral ectoderm origin
-contains endocrine cells regulated indirectly by neuroendocrine signals from the hypothalamus that are released in the median eminence
how do the regulatory hormones from the hypothalmus get to the anterior pituitary
- axons from the hypothalamus terminate in the neurovascular region, the median eminence, where they secrete regulatory hormones into local circulation and deliver it to the anterior pituitary.
- 2ndary hormones are then released from the anterior pituitary to the blood
what is the function of the posterior pituitary and where are hormones stored and released
- store hormones produced by the hypothalamus at nerve terminals and released into a separate blood supply then the posterior pituitary
what are the types of hormones that are released by the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary and how are they transported there
releasing and inhibitory hormones are secreted in the median eminence and pass-through the portal vein to the anterior pituitary
2 major neurohormones stored in the posterior pituitary and their role
vasopressin (adh) regulate body fluid by increases water retention in the kidney
oxytocin- stimulate the release of milk from the mammary gland and stimulate the contraction of the uterus
what are the 2 modes in which increased osmolality in the ECF can be decreased
- increased thirst» increase water intake»_space; dilutes ECF = decreased osmolality
- increased vasopressin > water retention > dilutes ECF = increased osmolality
what is the role of vasopressin
maintains osmolality of ECF
3 ways oxytocin is stimulated to be released by the posterior pituitary
- suckling stimulates release via afferent neurons which then causes milk secretion
- in pregencancy, stimulated by uterine contractions and distention of the cervix to enhance contractions
- important in social behavior and increases maternal bonding
what affect do releasing hormones have on the anterior pituitary
act on the PM receptors of specific pituitary endocrine cells to stimulate exocytosis and synthesis of hormones
what is the affect of inhibiting hormones on the anterior pituitary
reduce secretion and synthesis of pituitary hormones at their target cells
what are the target cells of TRH , what pituitary hormone is released, what is the affect(2)
thyrotroph, thryropin (TSH) released, increased thyroid hormone secretion and enlarges thyroid gland
mamotroph, increases prolactin
what is the target cell of GnRH, what pituitary hormone is released, what is the affect
- gonadotroph, LH and FSH,
- LH = ovulation and testosterone secretion in males
- FSH = ovarian follicle growth and estrogen secretion in females and spermatogenesis in males
what is the target cell of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), what pituitary hormone is released and what is the affect
corticotroph, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), hormone secretion and cell growth in the adrenal cortex
what is the target cell of growth hormone releasing hormone ( GHRH), what pituitary hormone is released, what is the affect
somatotroph, increases growth hormone (somatotropin), causes body growth