Maternal Adaption of the CNS and Endocrine System

Question 1

What is “placenta brain”?

Answer 1

The brain shrinks during pregnancy and returns to normal by 6 months post partum. This causes some women to experience memory loss and lack of concentration

Question 2

Name the TEN major components of the female endocrine system

Answer 2

Hypothalmus
Pineal Gland
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
Thymus
Breasts
Adrenal Glands
Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans
Ovaries
Adipose Tissue

Question 3

Which hormone is released from the hypothalmus and what does it do?

Answer 3

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone:

Stimulates release of luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone

Question 4

Which TWO hormones are released from the posterior pituitary gland and what do they do?

Answer 4

Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH):
Controls reabsorption of water in the distal tubule of the kidney

Oxytocin:
Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection

Question 5

What type of hormones (name TWO) are released from the anterior pituitary gland and what do they do?

Answer 5

Hormones which regulate other glands such as-

Thyroid stimulating hormone:
Stimulation of thyroid to produce thyroxin

Prolactin:
Stimulates milk production

Question 6

Which THREE hormones are released from the thyroid and what do they do?

Answer 6

Thyroxine T4, Triiodothyronine T3 and Calcitonin:

Metabolism, physical and mental growth

Question 7

Which hormone is released from the parathyroid and what does it do?

Answer 7

Parathyroid Hormone:
Working with calcitonin, it maintains homeostasis of calcium and phosphate. Stimulates kidneys to produce calcitriol (active form of vitamin D)

Question 8

What type of hormones (name THREE) are released from the adrenal cortex and what do they do?

Answer 8

Glucocorticoids eg. Cortisol:
Metabolism of glucose and carbohydrates

Mineralocorticoids eg. Aldosterone:
Water reabsorption in renal tubules

Gonadocorticoids eg. Oestrogen:
Changes during puberty and female sexual behaviour

Question 9

Which TWO hormones are released from the adrenal medulla and what do they do?

Answer 9

Increase in:
Metabolism
Muscular contraction
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function

Decrease digestion

Question 10

Which hormone is released from the pineal and what does it do?

Answer 10

Melatonin:
Light regulated secretion due to retinal connection. Feedback to hypothalmus inhibits Gonadotrophin releasing hormone. Influences sleep patterns, temperature and appetite

Question 11

Which TWO hormones are released from the thymus and what do they do?

Answer 11

Thymopoetin and Thymosins:

Activation and differentiation of lymphocytes

Question 12

Which FOUR hormones are released from the Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans and what do they do?

Answer 12

Glucagon:
Conversion of glycogen to glucose

Insulin:
Conversion of glucose to glycogen

GHRIH:
Inhibition of both glucagon and insulin

Pancreatic Polypeptide:
Release of pancreatic digestive enzymes

Question 13

Which THREE hormones are released from the ovaries and what do they do?

Answer 13

Oestrogen:
Reproductive cycle

Progesterone:
Reproductive cycle

Inhibin:
Inhibits LH and FSH

Question 14

Which hormone is released from the corpus luteum and what does it do?

Answer 14

Relaxin:

Relaxation of pelvic ligaments

Question 15

Which hormone is released from the blastocyst and what does it do?

Answer 15

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG):

Maintains corpus luteum until placenta is fully formed

Question 16

Which SIX hormones are released from the placenta and what do they do?

Answer 16

All maintain corpus luteum until placenta is fully formed

Oestrogen
Progesterone
Human Placental Lactogen
Corticosteroids
ACTH
TSH