hypothalamus/pituitary gland Flashcards
where is the hypothalamus located?
- base of brain
- above the roof of the mouth
- attached to the pituitary gland by a stalk called the infundibulum
what are the two lobes of the pituitary gland?
- posterior lobe
- anterior lobe
describe the posterior lobe
- neural connection with hypothalamus
- releases oxytocin and ADH but does not make them
hormones travel down nerve fiber to the posterior lobe and are released into the blood
describe the anterior lobe
- vascular (blood) connection with hypothalamus
- produces its own hormones
- special hormones called releasing factors travel from the hypothalamus, through the blood
releasing factors cause specific hormones to be released into the blood
describe the pituitary gland
- pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain
- an extension of the hypothalamus
- produces hormones that control other glands
list the 5 hormones that are produced in the anterior pituitary gland
- thyroid-stimulating hormone
- adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)
- gonadotrophic hormones (FSH, LS)
- growth hormone
- prolactin
describe thyroid-stimulating hormone
= regulates thyroid gland
- protein hormone
- targets thyroid
describe adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)
= regulates adrenal cortex
- protein
- targets adrenal cortex
describe gonadotrophic hormones
= regulates gonads
- Luteinising hormone
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- protein
- targets ovaries and testes
describe the growth hormone (GH)
= regulates growth in children
- protein
- targets all cells
describe prolactin
= regulates milk production
- protein
- targets mammary glands
what are the 2 hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
- antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- oxytocin
describe antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
= regulates water reabsorption from kidneys
- protein
- targets kidneys
describe oxytocin
= allows milk let down/suckling reflex + initiates labor
- protein
- targets uterus + mammary glands
