Part 1 Hypothalamus and Pituitary

Where is the hypothalamus located?

Portion of the rostral end of the diencephalon.

How is the hypothalamus connected to the anterior pituitary gland?

Through a vascular connection (hypophyseal portal system).

How is the hypothalamus connected to the posterior pituitary gland?

Through a neural connection.

What is a hypothalamic nucleus?

A cluster of nerve cell bodies within the CNS.

What are the two major types of hypothalamic hormones?

Releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones.

What does GHRH stand for?

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone.

Where is GHRH released?

Arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by GHRH?

Somatotropes.

What hormone is released in response to GHRH?

Growth Hormone (GH).

What does TRH stand for?

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone.

Where is TRH released?

Paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by TRH?

Thyrotropes.

What hormone is released in response to TRH?

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).

What does CRH stand for?

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by CRH?

Corticotropes.

What hormone is released in response to CRH?

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH).

What does MRH stand for?

Melanotropin Releasing Hormone.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by MRH?

Melanotropes.

What hormone is released in response to MRH?

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH).

What does PRH stand for?

Prolactin Releasing Hormone.

Where is PRH released?

Arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by PRH?

Lactotropes (Leutotropes).

What hormone is released in response to PRH?

Prolactin (PRL).

What does GnRH stand for?

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone.

Which hormones are released in response to GnRH?

LH and FSH.

Which anterior pituitary cells are targeted by GnRH?

Gonadotropes.

What does GHIH stand for?

Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone.

What is another name for GHIH?

Somatostatin.

What does GHIH inhibit?

Growth Hormone secretion.

What does MIH stand for?

Melanotropin Inhibiting Hormone.

What does MIH inhibit?

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone secretion.

What does PIH stand for?

Prolactin Inhibiting Hormone.

What is another name for PIH?

Dopamine.

What does PIH inhibit?

Prolactin secretion.

Where is the pituitary gland located?

Ventral to the brain in the sella turcica.

What is another name for the pituitary gland?

Hypophysis.

What was the pituitary gland once called?

The Master Gland of the Body.

What is another name for the anterior pituitary?

Adenohypophysis.

What is another name for the posterior pituitary?

Neurohypophysis.

What are the three divisions of the anterior pituitary?

Pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis.

Which hormones are secreted by acidophils?

GH and PRL.

Which hormones are secreted by basophils?

ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, and MSH.

What are chromophobes?

Anterior pituitary cells that do not stain.

What are chromophils?

Anterior pituitary cells that stain and include acidophils and basophils.

Which cells secrete TSH?

Thyrotropes.

Which cells secrete FSH and LH?

Gonadotropes.

Which cells secrete ACTH?

Corticotropes.

Which cells secrete PRL?

Lactotropes (Leutotropes).

Which cells secrete GH?

Somatotropes.

Which cells secrete MSH?

Melanotropes.

What is another name for Growth Hormone?

Somatotropin.

What are the main functions of Growth Hormone?

Growth, protein synthesis, cell division, and bone growth.

What is the primary function of prolactin?

Milk production and mammary gland development.

What unique role does prolactin have in pigeons?

Stimulates crop milk formation.

What is the primary function of MSH?

Increases melanin production and skin darkening.