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Physiology and Neuroscience > Pituitary Gland > Flashcards

Flashcards in Pituitary Gland Deck (35)
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1
Q

What is the pituitary gland?

A

“Master” endocrine glands because it secretes several hormones that control other endocrine glands

2
Q

Where is the pituitary gland?

A

Small region of the brain below the thalamus

Lies in the hypophyseal fossa of the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone

3
Q

What does the pituitary gland link?

A

The nervous and endocrine system

4
Q

How many cells does the hypothalamus synthesise?

A

At least 9 different hormones

5
Q

How many cells does the pituitary gland synthesise?

A

Seven

6
Q

What is the shape and size of the pituitary?

A

Pea shaped structure

1-1.5cm

7
Q

What does the pituitary gland attach to?

A

The hypothalamus by a stalk (infundibulum)

8
Q

What are the two portions of the pituitary gland?

A

Anterior pituitary gland

Posterior pituitary gland

9
Q

What are the two parts of the anterior pituitary gland in an adult?

A
Pars distalis (larger portion)
Pars tuberalis (forms sheath around infundibulum)
10
Q

What is the posterior pituitary composed of?

A

Neural tissue

11
Q

What does the posterior pituitary consist of?

A

Pars nervosa

Infundibulum

12
Q

What’s the third part of the pituitary gland?

A

Pars Intermedia (only in fetal development)

13
Q

What are the six major anterior pituitary hormones?

A
GH (Somatotropin)
TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)
ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
LH (Luteinising hormone)
Prolactin
14
Q

What is GH (Somatotropin) involved in?

A

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) & metabolic effects

15
Q

What is TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) involved in?

A

Secretion of thyroid hormones

16
Q

What is ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) involved in?

A

Cortisol from adrenal cortex

17
Q

What is FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) involved in?

A

Inhibin from Sertoli cells, Corpus luteum

Oestrogen from granulosa cells of follicle

18
Q

What is LH (Luteinising hormone) involved in?

A

Testosterone from Leydig cells

Progesterone from Corpus luteum

19
Q

What is prolactin involved in?

A

Breast development & milk production

20
Q

What are the six hypothalamic releasing factors?

A
GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone)
GHRH (Growth hormone releasing hormone)
SST (Somatostatin)
TRH (Thryotropin, TSH-releasing hormone)
CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone)
Dopamine (amine not a peptide hormone)
21
Q

What is GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) for?

A

Stimulates release of LH and FSH (production of gametes)

22
Q

What is GHRH (Growth hormone releasing hormone) for?

A

Stimulates release of growth hormone, GH

23
Q

What is SST (Somatostatin) for?

A

Inhibits release of growth hormone, GH

24
Q

What is TRH (Thryotropin, TSH-releasing hormone) for?

A

Increase release of thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH

25
Q

What is CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone) for?

A

Increases release of corticotropin (ACTH) may stimulate prolactin release

26
Q

What is Dopamine (amine not a peptide hormone) for?

A

Decreases prolactin release

27
Q

What is the anterior pituitary hormone feedback long and short control loops?

A
Stress and Non-stress neural inputs
Hypothalamus 
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
Anterior Pituitary 
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Adrenal cortex
Cortisol (end product feedbacks)
28
Q

What can the two additional hypothalamic hormones of the posterior pituitary hormones?

A

ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone)

Oxytocin

29
Q

What is ADH released as a posterior pituitary hormone?

A

Also known as Vasopressin (two functions)
Causes production of hypertonic urine (dilute)
Causes increase in systemic mean arterial blood pressure

30
Q

What is Oxytocin released as a posterior pituitary hormone?

A

Released as part of the suckling reflex
Causes contraction of smooth muscle cells (myo-epithelial cells and smooth muscle in breast duct cells to enhance milk flow- let down reflex)

31
Q

What is Oxytocin also involved with?

A

Other sex hormones
Oestrogen- causes breast duct development in puberty
Progesterone and prolactin cause breast alveoli development
Prolactin stimulates breast milk production by alveolar cells

32
Q

What are the two phases of the LH and FSH in female reproductive system?

A

Follicular phase

Luteal phase

33
Q

What is the follicular phase for LH and FSH in female reproduction?

A

LH FSH
Thecal cells -> Androgens -> Granulosa cells
Inhibin Oestrogen
Inhibits FSH only Inhibits ant pit FSH & LH

34
Q

What is the luteal phase in female reproduction?

A

Granulosa cells develop LH receptors and combine with thecal cells to produce progesterone which continues to inhibit LH production

35
Q

What is the LH and FSH in the male reproductive system?

A

FSH -> Sertoli cells -> Sperm production

LH -> Leydig cells -> Testosterone