Neuroendocrine

Question 1

BORDERS OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS

Answer 1

● Anterior: Lamina terminalis
● Posterior: Subthalamus
● Inferior: Floor of the 3rd ventricle, tuberum
cinereum, infundibulum and mammillary bodies
● Superior: Thalamus
● Lateral: Internal capsule
● Medial: Cavity of the 3rd ventricle

Question 2

above the optic chiasm; for temperature control and regulation of
circadian rhythm from inputs from the retina

Answer 2

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

ANTERIOR/ SUPRAOPTIC AREA

Question 3

creates and secretes oxytocin and vasopressin →
posterior pituitary
○ Damage: Diabetes insipidus - a condition
where a patient pees a lot

Answer 3

Supraoptic nucleus (SON) and Paraventricular

ANTERIOR/ SUPRAOPTIC AREA

Question 4

merges with preoptic region
○ Thirst stimulation and has thermal
regulation control to dissipate heat
○ Damage: Hyperthermia

Answer 4

Anterior nucleus

ANTERIOR/ SUPRAOPTIC AREA

Question 5

Inhibits appetite,satiety center
○ Damage: Induces hunger → obesity

Answer 5

Ventromedial nucleus (VMN)

MIDDLE/ TUBERAL REGION

Question 6

stimulation: feeding, drinking, body-weight, regulation and circadian activity

Answer 6

Dorsomedial nucleus (DMN)

MIDDLE/ TUBERAL REGION

Question 7

stimulation: increases appetite, eating behavior
○ Damage: Starvation → decrease in body weight (opposite of VMN)

Answer 7

Lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LHN)

MIDDLE/ TUBERAL REGION

Question 8

inhibits prolactin release via releasing dopamine (via the tuberoinfundibular pathway thru the pituitary portal circulation)

Answer 8

Arcuate Nucleus

MIDDLE/ TUBERAL REGION

Question 9

important in the delivery of dopamine from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

Answer 9

Tuberoinfundibular pathway

Question 10

thermal regulation (body heat
conservation/ shivering)
○ Damage: Hypothermia

Answer 10

Posterior nucleus
POSTERIOR (MAMMILLARY) REGION

Question 11

the only structure that will be seen in the hypothalamus; role in memory and long term potentiation via its connections from the hippocampus and projection to the thalamus
○ Damage: Wernicke’s encephalopathy (seen in severe alcohol intoxication)

Answer 11

Mammillary body
POSTERIOR (MAMMILLARY) REGION

Question 12

○ Not necessarily from pituitary adenoma.
May be from other sources which
ultimately leads to excess in cortisol

Answer 12

Cushing’s Syndrome:

Question 13

○ Caused by excess ACTH by a tumor in the Anterior Pituitary causing excess in cortisol.
○ Cushing’s disease is specific from corticotroph or a pituitary adenoma that causes excess ACTH release, causing adrenal hyperplasia.

Answer 13

● Cushing’s disease

Question 14

○ Suppress prolactin.
○ The hypothalamus releases dopamine
○ Dopamine inhibits prolactin release
○ The medications should be dopamine agonists

Answer 14

Dopamine agonists (ex. Bromocriptine, cabergoline)

Question 15

○ Suppress GH or somatotrophs production and cause tumor shrinkage in some patients

Answer 15

Somatostatin analogues (Ex. Octreotide)

Question 16

GH secreting tumors with inadequate response to
surgery, radiation or octreotide.

Answer 16

GH receptor antagonist (Pegvisomant)