Endocrinology - Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards focused on key terms and concepts related to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in endocrinology.

Hypothalamus

Connects the nervous system and endocrine system; synthesizes hormones.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone synthesized by hypothalamus; regulates water balance.

Oxytocin (OXT)

Hormone synthesized by hypothalamus; stimulates uterine contractions.

Infundibulum

Stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

Regulatory hormones

Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus to regulate anterior pituitary activity.

Pituitary gland

Also known as hypophysis; has anterior and posterior lobes that secrete hormones.

Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis)

Produces and secretes tropic hormones that regulate other endocrine glands.

Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)

Stores and secretes hormones produced in the hypothalamus.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Stimulates the production of gametes in ovaries and testes.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Stimulates ovulation and testosterone production.

Growth hormone (GH)

Stimulates growth and metabolism in tissues.

Prolactin (PRL)

Stimulates milk production in mammary glands.

Negative feedback

Regulatory mechanism that maintains homeostasis by inhibiting further hormone release.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Hormone produced by parathyroid glands; increases blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin

Hormone produced by thyroid; lowers blood calcium levels.

Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)

Regulate metabolism and affect growth and development.

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Hormones produced by adrenal medulla; mediate fight or flight response.

Hypophyseal portal system

Capillary network that transports regulatory hormones directly to the anterior pituitary.

Fenestrated capillaries

Capillaries with holes that allow the passage of hormones into the bloodstream.

Supraoptic nuclei

Hypothalamic nuclei responsible for synthesizing ADH.

Paraventricular nuclei

Hypothalamic nuclei responsible for synthesizing OXT.

Neuroendocrine response

Interaction between neural signaling and hormone release.

Transport proteins

Proteins that bind hormones in circulation, prolonging their action.

Somatomedins

Insulin-like growth factors released by the liver in response to GH.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that secrete RANKL, stimulated by PTH.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells responsible for bone breakdown, activity increased by RANKL.

Releasing hormones (RH)

Hormonally stimulate the synthesis and secretion of other hormones.

Inhibiting hormones (IH)

Hormones that prevent the synthesis or secretion of other hormones.

Adrenal cortex

Outer region of the adrenal gland that produces corticosteroids.

Adrenal medulla

Inner region of adrenal gland responsible for synthesizing epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Calcium homeostasis

Regulation of calcium levels by PTH and calcitonin.