FUNDAMENTALS
OF PHYSIOLOGY
AND ANATOMY
4BBY1060
Physiology & Anatomy
of the Endocrine System
, LECTURE 23:
Physiology of the hypothalamus and pituitary: Hypothalamus connects endocrine
system with nervous system. And is key in controlling the pituitary gland
(‘master gland’) which itself regulates many other glands
Overview of glands:
- Pineal gland
o Secretes melatonin, helps establish circadian rhythms
- Adrenal glands
o Help-trigger fight-fight response
- Pancreas
o Regulates levels of sugar in the blood
- Thyroid gland
o Affects metabolism
- Parathyroids
o Help regulate the calcium level in the blood
- Testis
o Secretes male sex hormones
- Ovary
o Secretes female sex hormones
Endocrine system
Development: proliferation, growth, differentiation, organogenesis
Reproduction: sexual maturation and behaviour, maintenance of pregnancy
Metabolism: Carbohydrates, energy storage, metabolic rate, temperature
Homeostasis: water balance, salt levels, blood volume, pressure
Work via messenger molecules (hormones) which can alter the structure or
activity of the target cell by binding to specific hormone receptors. Aid in the
maintenance of a constant internal environment.
Hypothalamus and pituitary:
anatomy
Hypothalamus is an area on the base of
the brain.
Neurons send axons down from the
hypothalamus.
To form neurocrine organ that releases
oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH).
Oxytocin and ADH enter the venous
drainage to reach target tissues
elsewhere in the body.
The posterior pituitary has a neuronal
developmental origin as a down-growth from the diencephalon. Hormones like
ADH and oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus but are stored and released
here.
- Cells in the hypothalamus release peptide hormones (neurohormones) into
portal blood vessels which influence the release of hormones from the
anterior pituitary
o Either stimulate the release or inhibit its release
OF PHYSIOLOGY
AND ANATOMY
4BBY1060
Physiology & Anatomy
of the Endocrine System
, LECTURE 23:
Physiology of the hypothalamus and pituitary: Hypothalamus connects endocrine
system with nervous system. And is key in controlling the pituitary gland
(‘master gland’) which itself regulates many other glands
Overview of glands:
- Pineal gland
o Secretes melatonin, helps establish circadian rhythms
- Adrenal glands
o Help-trigger fight-fight response
- Pancreas
o Regulates levels of sugar in the blood
- Thyroid gland
o Affects metabolism
- Parathyroids
o Help regulate the calcium level in the blood
- Testis
o Secretes male sex hormones
- Ovary
o Secretes female sex hormones
Endocrine system
Development: proliferation, growth, differentiation, organogenesis
Reproduction: sexual maturation and behaviour, maintenance of pregnancy
Metabolism: Carbohydrates, energy storage, metabolic rate, temperature
Homeostasis: water balance, salt levels, blood volume, pressure
Work via messenger molecules (hormones) which can alter the structure or
activity of the target cell by binding to specific hormone receptors. Aid in the
maintenance of a constant internal environment.
Hypothalamus and pituitary:
anatomy
Hypothalamus is an area on the base of
the brain.
Neurons send axons down from the
hypothalamus.
To form neurocrine organ that releases
oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH).
Oxytocin and ADH enter the venous
drainage to reach target tissues
elsewhere in the body.
The posterior pituitary has a neuronal
developmental origin as a down-growth from the diencephalon. Hormones like
ADH and oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus but are stored and released
here.
- Cells in the hypothalamus release peptide hormones (neurohormones) into
portal blood vessels which influence the release of hormones from the
anterior pituitary
o Either stimulate the release or inhibit its release
