Hormones, Hypothalamus, and Pituitary Gland

Vocabulary flashcards about hormones, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary gland.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary

Key mediators in endocrine regulation, impacting homeostasis, growth, and development.

Hypothalamus

The bottom region of the brain containing neuroendocrine cells.

Neuroendocrine Cells

Neurons that release particular types of hormones.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released via the posterior pituitary into circulation; also known as vasopressin.

Oxytocin

Hormone responsible for milk ejection reflex and involved in parturition and other reproductive events.

Milk Letdown Reflex

Milk ejection by contraction of myoepithelial cells in the mammary gland.

Paraventricular Nucleus and Supraoptic Nuclei

Small groups of cells that sit in the hypothalamus

Diabetes Insipidus

A disease state caused by low ADH, resulting in large volumes of dilute urine.

Idiopathic ADH Syndrome

A condition characterized by very high ADH, leading to significant fluid retention and hyponatremia (low sodium).

Growth Hormone

Hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary, impacting growth and metabolism.