Hypothalamus & GH

Question 1

Where does the hypothalamus sit it?

Answer 1

Beneath the hypothalamus in a socket bone ‘sella turcica’

Question 2

What processes does the Hypothalamus and pituitary gland moderate?

Answer 2

Baby growth
Reproduction
Milk secretion
Lactation
Adrenal gland function
Thyroid gland function
Water homeostasis
Puberty

Question 3

Where does the anterior, posterior pituitary gland originate from

Answer 3

Anterior pituitary: Primitive gut tissue (evagination o oral ectoderm)
Posterior pituitary: Primitive brain tissue (neuroectoderm)

Question 4

Describe the structure of the posterior pituitary

Answer 4

Physically connected to the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus drops down through the infundibulum to form the posterior pituitary

Question 5

Where is oxytocin and ADH produced ?

Answer 5

Neurosecretory cells in the
Supraoptic & Paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus

Question 6

Describe the process of the release of Oxocytocin & ADH

Answer 6

1. Neurosecretory cells (supraoptic, paraventricular)
2. Transported down nerve cell axons to the posterior pituitary
3. Stored & released from posterior pituitary into the general circulation to act on distant targets

Question 7

What type of signalling is used in the release of hormones in posterior pituitary ?

Answer 7

Neurocrine signalling

Question 8

Where are the hormones released from anterior pituitary synthesised ?

Answer 8

Hypothalamus

Question 9

Describe the process of the released of hormones from anterior pituitary

Answer 9

1. Hormones synthesised in hypothalamus
2. Transported down axons and stored in median eminence
3. Released into hypophysesal portal system
4. These hormones stimulate target endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary gland
5. Endocrine cells (in anterior pituitary) secrete a variety of hormones to act on distant target cells

Question 10

What are the two functions of anterior pituitary?

Answer 10

Autocrine & paracrine function

Question 11

What are the 6 tropic hormones produced in the hypothalamus

Answer 11

TRH (Thryotropin RH)
PIH (Prolactin release-inhibiting hormone/dopamine)
CRH (Corticotropin RH)
GnRH (Gonadotropin RH)
GHRH (Growth hormone RH)
GHIH (Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone, somatostatin)

Question 12

Describe the difference between troPIc & troPHic hormone

Answer 12

TroPIc hormone (affect the release of other hormones in the target tissue)
TroPHic hormones (affect growth)

Question 13

What are the 6 hormones produced by the anterior pituitary ?

Answer 13

TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)
ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
LH (Luteinising hormone)
FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
PRL (Prolactin)
GH (Growth hormone)

Question 14

What is atrophy ?

Answer 14

Decrease in cell size, cell no.

Question 15

What is hyperplasia

Answer 15

Increase in cell no.

Question 16

What is hypertrophy ?

Answer 16

Increase in cell size

Question 17

Necrosis

Answer 17

Cell death by damage

Question 18

Apoptosis

Answer 18

Programmed cell death