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Metabolism > Session 9: Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland, and Their Disorders > Flashcards

Session 9: Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland, and Their Disorders Flashcards

(54 cards)

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1
Q

Vital regulatory functions of the hypothalamus

A
  • Temperature
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Blood osmolarity
  • Goal-seeking behaviour
  • Emotional behaviour
  • Visceral nervous system
  • Sexual activity
  • Food & water intake
  • Aggression
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2
Q

Pituitary gland is ___ fused glands…

A

Pituitary is two fused glands…

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3
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

adenohypophysis

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4
Q

Posterior pituitary

A

neurohypophysis

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5
Q

The pituitary gland lies just below the ___ in the brain

A

hypothalamus

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6
Q

The pituitary gland is connected by a stalk to the hypothalamus. This stalk is known as the ___ ___ stalk

A

median eminence

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7
Q

Describe development of pituitary gland in utero

A

Anterior lobe (adenohypophysis)
- Upgrowth of ectodermal cells from roof of primitive pharynx (buccal cavity)
- Arises from Rathke’s Pouch

Posterior lobe (neurohypophysis)
- Down-growth of neural tissue from hypothalamus
- Arises from neuroectoderm

These two tissues fuse to form the pituitary gland

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8
Q

Name the artery connecting pituitary gland to the hypothalamus

A

Hypophyseal portal artery

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9
Q

The hypothalamus controls the ___ pituitary gland secretion by releasing hormones (neurohormones) from the ___ ___

A

The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary gland secretion by releasing hormones (neurohormones) from the median eminence

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10
Q

The anterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus via the ___-___ circulation

A

The anterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus via the hypophyseal-portal circulation

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11
Q

The anterior pituitary is made up of hormone producing glandular cells. It produces six peptide hormones - these hormones are…

A

1) Prolactin
2) Growth Hormone (GH)
3) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
4) Lutenizing Hormone (LH)
5) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
6) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

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12
Q

Name the TWO gonadotrophins secreted by anterior pituitary

A

1) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
2) Lutenizing Hormone (LH)

These gonadotrophins are produced by gonadotrophs and act on gonads to control reproduction

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13
Q

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by ___

A

thyrotrophs

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14
Q

TSH stimulates the ___ gland to secrete hormone

A

thyroid

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15
Q

Glycoprotein hormones secreted by anterior pituitary

A
  • Gonadotrophins = FSH, LH
  • TSH
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16
Q

Polypeptide hormones secreted by anterior pituitary

A
  • GH
  • ACTH
  • Prolactin
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17
Q

Growth Hormone (GH) is produced by ___

A

somatotrophs

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18
Q

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced by ___

A

corticotrophs

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19
Q

Prolactin is produced by ___

A

lactotrophs

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20
Q

Role of ACTH

A

Stimulates adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol)

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21
Q

Role of GH

A

Influences growth and metabolism

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22
Q

Role of prolactin

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A

Controls milk production (from breasts) and other reproductive processes

23
Q

Gonadotropes are controlled by GnRH (___). This hormone stimulates both LH and FSH secretion.

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A

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

24
Q

Thyrotropes are controlled by TRH (___). This hormone stimulates Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - stimulates thyroid gland to provide thyroid hormones

Study These Flashcards
A

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH)

25
Somatotropes are controlled by GHRH (___). This hormone stimulates Growth Hormone (GH) release.
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
26
Lactotropes controlled in a different way. The hypothalamus secretes ___. ___ inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary.
Dopamine
27
What environmental factors influence the Hypothalamus - Pituitary Gland Axis
- Cold - Stress (HPA) - Metabolic status - Dehydration - Exercise - Time of day - Menstruation - Sleep - Growth - Breastfeeding - Pregnancy - Puberty
28
Examples of some physiological effects elicited by the pituitary gland in the Hypothalamus - Pituitary Gland Axis?
- ACTH = adrenal function - TSH = thyroid function - FSH/LH = gonadal function - Prolactin = lactation - GH = growth/metabolism - Water balance - Parturition
29
HPA axis
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
30
HPA axis responds to ___
Stress
31
What are the metabolic effects of the stimulation of the HPA axis?
- Energy stores mobilised - Lipolysis and proteolysis - Vasoconstriction - Reproduction is suppressed - Altered stress-related behaviours - Bronchodilation - Increased heart rate & blood pressure - Blood flow to muscles is increased (fight/flight)
32
Increased risk of cognitive, emotional and behavioural dysfunctions as an effect of increased HPA axis stimulation. Some examples of these dysfunctions...
- Major depression disorder - Anxiety disorders - Memory problems
33
Increased risk of cardiovascular dysfunctions as an effect of increased HPA axis stimulation. Some examples of these dysfunctions...
- Cardiac hypertrophy (hypertension) - Vascular damage
34
Increased risk of other diseases as an effect of increased HPA axis stimulation. Some examples of these dysfunctions...
- Cancer - Diabetes - Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism) - Obesity
35
Increased risk of immune system dysfunction as an effect of increased HPA axis stimulation. Some examples of these dysfunctions...
- Increased risk of autoimmune disorders - Increased levels of circulating cytokines - Chronic/low-grade inflammation throughout body
36
Mechanism of fever
- Exogenous pyrogens (e.g., bacterial LPS) stimulate leukocytes (monocytes, macrophages, Kupffer cells) to release cytokines - Cytokines lead to release of prostaglandins from hypothalamus (prostaglandin E) - Prostaglandins cause increase of temperature set point causing fever - Fever is regulated by negative feedback
37
Give two examples of pituitary gland disorders
1) Hypopituitarism 2) Pituitary Adenoma
38
Hypopituitarism
Deficient pituitary gland activity - Decreased synthesis of one or more pituitary or hypothalamic hormones - Rare - Most commonly = FSH/LH deficiency - Mostly due to = tumours, surgical, radiotherapy treatment - Symptoms/signs depend on the severity of deficiency
39
Symptoms of gonadal deficiencies in Hypopituitarism
- Loss of libido - Secondary sexual hair loss - Amenorrhoea - Erectile dysfunction - Menstrual cycle deficiencies
40
Symptoms of GH deficiency in Hypopituitarism
- Growth failure in children - Impaired wellbeing in adults
41
Symptoms of TSH deficiency in Hypopituitarism
- Weight gain - Dry skin - Cold intolerance
42
Symptoms of ACTH deficiency in Hypopituitarism
- Mild hypotension - Hyponatraemia (low serum sodium)
43
Case study
36 year old male referred by GP with 5 day history of headache that has been progressively increasing in severity and a 1 day history of visual disturbance. Further history reveals a one month history of lethargy, dizziness on standing up too quickly, loss of libido and some loss of chest hair. Clinical Findings * Decreased serum cortisol, TSH, LH, FSH and testosterone * Increased prolactin * MRI: large pituitary tumour compressing the optic chiasm Diagnosis = Pituitary Adenoma
44
Pituitary adenoma can be associated with ___ hormonal secretion which causes effects. This is called a ___ adenoma
Pituitary adenoma can be associated with excess hormonal secretion which causes effects. This is called a functional adenoma - Hyperprolactinaemia - Gigantism - Acromegaly - Cushing's disease
45
Gigantism
Pituitary adenoma secreting excess GH in childhood (before epiphyses have fused) - Accelerated growth of bone, muscle and connective tissue - Enlargement of organs
46
Gigantism symptoms
- Joint pain - Delayed puberty - Pain and limited joint mobility - Vision problems - Headaches
47
Acromegaly
Pituitary adenoma secreting excess GH during adulthood (after epiphyses have fused)
48
Symptoms and signs of Acromegaly
- Enlarged hands and feet - Enlarged facial features (facial bones, lips, nose, tongue) - Fatigue - Joint/muscle weakness - Pain and limited joint mobility - Vision problems - Headaches - Menstrual cycle irregularities - Erectile dysfunction - Reduced libido
49
Cushing's disease
Pituitary adenoma secreting ACTH; increased cortisol, increased ACTH
50
Symptoms of Cushing's disease
- Weight gain and increase in body fat on abdomen/chest - Thin arms and legs - Build-up of fat on back of neck and shoulders - Moon face/rounded face, puffiness, redness - Easy bruising - Large purple stretch marks - Skin ulcers (poor wound healing) - Amenorrhea - Purpura - Abdominal striae - Osteoporosis
51
Management of Cushing's disease
- Pituitary adenoma/tumour = Surgery, radiotherapy, medical therapy - Pituitary hormonal secretion deficiency or excess = Hormonal therapy, medical therapy
52
Name the pituitary gland cells that release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Thyrotrophs
53
Which hypothalamic hormone regulates secretion of TSH?
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
54
Name some causes of Hypopituitarism

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