L7 - Hypothalamic - Pituitary axis

Question 1

connection between hypothalamus and pituitary

Answer 1

infundibulum

Question 2

what sits on top of pituitary gland?

Answer 2

optic chiasm

• pathways cross here
• supply temporal sides

Question 3

where does pituitary sit?

Answer 3

bony structure known as sella turcica.

Question 4

two main types of pituitary tumours

Answer 4

1. Functioning adenoma : hormone producing

2. non-functioning adenoma: does not produce hormones, some cells within tumour but clinically silent

Question 5

most common pituitary tumour

Answer 5

prolactinoma

Question 6

Acromegaly

Answer 6

growth hormone hypersecretion

Question 7

features of acromegaly

Answer 7

• prominent jaws and chin
• sweat gland hypertrophy
• galactorrhoea
• large nose
• prominent supraorbital ridge
• multiple systems affected leading to shorter lifespan

Question 8

levels of what indicate acromegaly?

Answer 8

high levels of IGF-2

Question 9

Cushing’s disease

Answer 9

pituiary driven cortisol excess

Question 10

cortisol

Answer 10

stress hormone.

ACTH gives signals to adrenals to produce glucocorticoids, adrenal androgens

Question 11

effect’s of cushings

Answer 11

• moon shaped face
• very red cheeks
• increased body hair
• papery thin skin
• striae

Question 12

Role of dopamine

Answer 12

• secreted from hypothalamus

- stops pituitary producing prolactin

Question 13

Stalk interruption syndrome

Answer 13

• pituitary adenoma
• pushing pituitary stalk
• compression of stalk
• dopamine coming from hypothalamus blocked
• not inhibitory effect on pituitary
• excess prolactin

Question 14

diabetes insipidus

Answer 14

• large vol of urine produced

- damage to pituitary

Question 15

apoplexy

Answer 15

rare

unconsciousness etc.

resulting from cerebral haemorrhage or stroke.

Question 16

Sheehan syndrome

Answer 16

• pituitary damaged during child birth.
• due to excess blood loss or low blood BP post labour.
• hence pituitary oxygen deprived