IL3: Hypothalamic Pituitary Target Axis

Question 1

What is the relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland?

Answer 1

The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland

Question 2

What is the role of the anterior pituitary gland?

Answer 2

It secretes various hormones that regulate bodily functions

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The _______ gland is responsible for releasing prolactin.

Answer 3

pituitary

Question 4

What happens if the connection between the pituitary gland and hypothalamus is disrupted?

Answer 4

Prolactin levels in blood can be disrupted

Question 5

What hormonal secretions are affected by sexual activity?

Answer 5

SH and Th secretion

Question 6

How does puberty affect blood vessels?

Answer 6

It increases the number of cells in blood vessels

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The hypothalamus releases hormones via the _______.

Answer 7

pituitary gland

Question 8

What hormone is critical for growth and development during infantile and early childhood?

Answer 8

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones play a vital role in various developmental processes in early life.

Question 9

Which hormone is largely responsible for growth during childhood and puberty?

Answer 9

Growth hormone

Growth hormone produces IGF-1, which accelerates linear growth.

Question 10

What effect do sex hormones have during puberty?

Answer 10

Cause growth spurt and boost growth hormone secretion

This leads to increased height and body mass during puberty.

Question 11

What happens to the epiphyseal growth plates due to sex steroids?

Answer 11

They close, leading to cessation of growth

This occurs at late puberty and marks the end of linear growth.

Question 12

What regulates the production of growth hormone?

Answer 12

Growth hormone-releasing hormone

This hormone stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.

Question 13

What inhibits the secretion of growth hormone?

Answer 13

Somatostatin

Somatostatin is produced by the hypothalamus and acts to inhibit growth hormone release.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The childhood and pubertal phases are largely dependent on _______.

Answer 14

growth hormone

Growth hormone plays a key role during these developmental stages.

Question 15

What is the role of insulin in relation to blood glucose levels?

Answer 15

Lower glucose in blood

Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells, thus reducing blood sugar levels.

Question 16

True or False: Growth hormone increases blood glucose levels.

Answer 16

False

Growth hormone actually helps to lower blood glucose levels.

Question 17

What is the relationship between growth hormone and fat?

Answer 17

Reduces fat

Growth hormone promotes lipolysis, leading to decreased fat mass.

Question 18

What is the effect of growth hormone on the liver?

Answer 18

Stimulates IGF-1 production

IGF-1 is crucial for growth and metabolic processes.

Question 19

What is the primary function of IGF-1?

Answer 19

Accelerate linear growth

IGF-1 is a key mediator of the effects of growth hormone on growth.

Question 20

What factors stimulate growth hormone secretion?

Answer 20

• Decreased blood glucose
• Decreased blood free fatty acids
• Fasting and starvation
• Sex steroids
• Ghrelin
• Deep sleep (stages II and IV)

Question 21

What factors inhibit growth hormone secretion?

Answer 21

• Increased blood glucose
• Increased blood free fatty acids
• Aging
• Obesity
• Sleep
• Stress and trauma
• Strenuous exercise
• Somatostatin
• Exogenous growth hormone
• Insulin-like growth factor-1

Question 22

What is acromegaly?

Answer 22

Excessive growth hormone secretion leading to changes in facial structure, shoe size, and wedding ring size.

Question 23

What are the effects of acromegaly on glucose metabolism?

Answer 23

Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, leading to a higher risk of diabetes.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Patients with acromegaly have _______ glucose intolerance.

Answer 24

[impaired]

Question 25

What cardiovascular complications can arise from excessive growth hormone?

Answer 25

* Heart thickening * Blood retention in the lungs * Arterial hypertension (40%) * Cardiomyopathy * Ventricular hypertrophy * Congestive heart failure

Question 26

What is the relationship between growth hormone deficiency and short stature?

Answer 26

Growth hormone deficiency can lead to short stature.

Question 27

True or False: Growth hormone deficiency can affect cardiovascular health.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

What are the potential treatments for growth hormone deficiency?

Answer 28

* Oral growth hormone therapy * Dopamine agonists

Question 29

What is the significance of somatostatin in growth hormone regulation?

Answer 29

Somatostatin inhibits growth hormone secretion.

Question 30

What physiological changes can occur due to excessive growth hormone?

Answer 30

* Thickening of the heart * Increased blood pressure * Risk of diabetes

Question 31

What must be ruled out for the diagnosis of prolactinoma?

Answer 31

* Pregnancy * Primary hypothyroidism * Chronic liver and kidney diseases * Estrogen therapy * Oral contraceptive use ## Footnote These conditions can mimic the symptoms of prolactinoma.

Question 32

What are the size classifications of pituitary adenomas?

Answer 32

* Microadenomas: <10 mm * Macroadenomas: ≥ 10 mm ## Footnote The classification depends on the size and function of the tumor.

Question 33

What is acromegaly?

Answer 33

Excessive growth hormone secretion leading to changes in physical appearance and health complications ## Footnote Acromegaly is often caused by a pituitary adenoma.

Question 34

What are the effects of acromegaly on glucose metabolism?

Answer 34

Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance ## Footnote This can lead to various metabolic complications.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: Patients with acromegaly have _______ glucose tolerance.

Answer 35

[impaired] ## Footnote This indicates a significant metabolic disturbance in these patients.

Question 36

What cardiovascular complications can arise from acromegaly?

Answer 36

* Heart thickening * Blood retention in the lungs * Arterial hypertension ## Footnote These complications are linked to prolonged elevated growth hormone levels.

Question 37

What factors inhibit growth hormone secretion?

Answer 37

* Increased blood glucose * Increased free fatty acids * Somatostatin ## Footnote These factors signal the body to reduce growth hormone production.

Question 38

What factors stimulate growth hormone secretion?

Answer 38

* Decreased blood glucose * Increased amino acids * Exercise * Sleep ## Footnote These stimuli trigger the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.

Question 39

What is the potential relationship between prolactinoma and breast cancer?

Answer 39

Possible increased risk ## Footnote The relationship is still being studied and requires further investigation.

Question 40

What is the clinical approach to diagnosing a pituitary adenoma?

Answer 40

Evaluate symptoms and imaging studies ## Footnote Symptoms may vary depending on the size and function of the adenoma.

Question 41

What is the role of TRH in hyperprolactinemia?

Answer 41

Stimulates prolactin release from the pituitary gland ## Footnote TRH levels can influence prolactin levels and are important in understanding hyperprolactinemia.