3.17.25 lecture: posterior pituitary and oxytocin

neurohypophyis is composed of

the posterior lobe of the pituitary and the infundibulum

whats an infundibulum?

The infundibulum of the hypothalamus is the stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, allowing for communication via hormones.

the _____________________________ is often called the "master gland" because it controls many other glands in the endocrine system by releasing hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, stress response, and reproductive functions.

pituitary gland

the _______________ is the master regulator of most of the endocrine system

hypothalamus

___________________________ acts as the control center for many autonomic (involuntary) functions of the body

the hypothalamus

inferior to the hypothalamus is the _______________

pituitary gland

the reason the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is called the neurohypophysis is because

it is composed primarily of nervous tissue and is functionally connected to the hypothalamus via nerve fibers.

name the 2 hormones associated with the neurohypophysis

oxytocin and ADH

true/false: some neurons can produce hormones

true

it is in the _____________ that we secrete the hormone via ___________

boutons; exocytosis

the hormone is stored and secreted in the _____________________

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

why is the posterior lobe of the pituitary not considered a true gland?

because the hormone is not made in it

the ______________ brings blood to the posterior lobe of the pituitary lobe and carry the hormones to the rest of the body via the ___________________

inferior hypophyseal artery; inferior hypophyseal vein

hormones are made in the ________________

hypothalamus

what does oxytocin do?

promotes uterine contractions

the lab made version of oxytocin is __________________

pitocin

oxytocin is a ________________________ based hormone

amino acid

oxytocin can be under _______________________ control

positive feedback

what does it mean that oxytocin is under positive feedback?

uterine contractions stimulate the release of more oxytocin ending in birth

true/false: oxytocin is always under positive feedback

false, some of its uses are not positive feedback, like with sexual arousal

when is oxytocin under positive feedback?

birth

what does oxytocin do after the baby is born?

promotes contraction of smooth muscle around milk glands for ejection

what does oxytocin do outside of birth

plays a role in sexual arousal and satisfaction

where do we produce oxytocin?

hypothalamus