The Pituitary Gland Flashcards
(42 cards)
How is the hypothalamus connected to the pituitary gland ?
Via the infundibulum
What portion of the hypothalamus is connected to the endocrine system?
The anterior pituitary
Where is the pituitary gland located?
The pocket of the sphenoid, directly below the hypothalamus
Where are neurohormones released from?
Posterior Pituitary and Hypothalamus
Where are classic endocrine hormones released?
Anterior Pituitary
Where are tropic and non-tropic hormones released?
The hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary
What are tropic hormones?
Neurohormones secreted into capillaries travelling into the anterior pituitary which govern release of anterior pituitary hormones
What are non-tropic hormones?
Neurohormones produced in hypothalamus and travel to posterior pituitary where they are released into blood
What is the function of tropic hormones?
Bind to receptors on anterior pituitary and stimulate/inhibit release of AP hormones
Name 5 hypothalamic releasing hormones
TRH, CRH, GHRH, GnRH, PRH
Name 2 hypothalamic inhibiting hormones
GHIH and Dopamine
What is the Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal portal system?
A network of tiny vessels which transfer trophic hormones from hypothalamus to anterior pituitary
Where are hormones released within they hypothalamo-hypohyseal portal system?
At the median eminence
What is the origin of anterior pituitary tissue?
Epithelial tissue
What is the origin of posterior pituitary tissue?
Neural tissue
Where is the anterior pituitary connected to?
The hypothalamus via the capillary portal system
Where is the posterior pituitary connected to?
Neural connection to the hypothalamus
How does the hypothalamus control the production of AP hormones?
By releasing or inhibiting trophic hormones that stimulate or inhibit hormone production from the AP
Where does prolactin act and what is its function?
Breast
Results in lactation (Direct)
Where does TSH act and what is its function?
Thyroid
Results in TH release (tropic)
Where does adrenocorticotropic hormone act and what is its function?
Ad. Cortex
Results in Cortisol Release (Tropic)
Where does growth hormone act and what is its function?
Liver
Results as an IGF-1* release (tropic) and tissue metabolism (direct)
Where does FSH and LH act and what are their functions?
Gonads
Regulate reproductive function (direct) and sex hormone release (tropic)
Where does AP feedback control occur?
Hypothalamus, AP and Target Endocrine Cell
