The Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland

Question 1

What is the name of the stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland ?

Answer 1

Infundibulum

Question 2

The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland consists of _____ tissue

Answer 2

Neural

Question 3

The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland consists of _____ tissue

Answer 3

purely endocrine

Question 4

How does the hypothalamus communicate with the pituitary gland ?

Answer 4

Via the venous portal system

Question 5

Define the term Tropic, with regards to hormones

Answer 5

Hormones which govern the release of other hormones.

Question 6

Define the term non-tropic

Answer 6

Do not govern the release of any other hormones and are often released straight into the blood stream

Question 7

The hormones released from the hypothalamus act on the anterior pituitary and releases _____hormones

Answer 7

Tropic

Question 8

Name the 5 hypothalamic “releasing” hormones

Answer 8

1. Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH)
2. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH)
3. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
4. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
5. Prolactin Releasing Hormone (PRH)

Question 9

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) causes ____ to be released from the _____pituitary

Answer 9

TSH

anterior

Question 10

ACTH is released from the _____ pituitary when the “releasing hormone” _____is released from the hypothalamus

Answer 10

anterior

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH)

Question 11

What causes growth hormone (GH) to be released from the anterior pituitary and what inhibits it ?

Answer 11

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)

Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone (GHIH)

Question 12

Which hormone/s is released from the anterior pituitary top act on the gonads ?

Answer 12

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Question 13

Which “releasing hormone” causes Prolactin to be released from the anterior pituitary gland ?

Answer 13

Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH)

Question 14

What are the 2 hypothalamic “inhibiting Hormones” ?

Answer 14

GHIH (Growth hormone inhibiting hormone)

PIH (prolactin inhibiting hormone)

Question 15

Which lobe of the pituitary gland is larger ?

Answer 15

Anterior pituitary

Question 16

The feedback control system is a 3 tiered pathway which consists of which 3 aspects ?

Answer 16

Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
Target endocrine cell

Question 17

Hormones released from the posterior pituitary are called ______hormones

Answer 17

Neurohormones

Question 18

Which 2 neurohormones are released from the pituitary ?

Answer 18

Vasopressin (ADH)

Oxytocin

Question 19

What is the main function of ADH ?

Answer 19

Regulates water balance

Question 20

What is the main function of Oxytocin ?

Answer 20

Milk ejection and uterine contraction

Question 21

What triggers ADH release ?

Answer 21

Increase in plasma osmolarity

Decrease in plasma volume/BP

Question 22

What triggers Oxytocin release ?

Answer 22

Labour (baby’s head against the cervix)

Suckling

Question 23

What is the site of action of ADH ?

Answer 23

Kidney collecting ducts & vascular smooth muscle

Question 24

What is the site of action of oxytocin ?

Answer 24

Milk ducts smooth muscle and uterine smooth muscle

Question 25

What is meant by 1° (Primary) disorders ?

Answer 25

Disorders which cause a defect in the cells that secrete the hormone

Question 26

What is meant by 2° (Secondary) disorders ?

Answer 26

Disorders where there is too much or too little tropic hormone from the pituitary

Question 27

What is meant by 3° (Tertiary) disorders ?

Answer 27

Hypothalamic defects