Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a cause of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
Which of the following is a cause of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
What diagnostic method is used for anterior pituitary hypofunction?
What diagnostic method is used for anterior pituitary hypofunction?
Which of the following is associated with prolactin deficiency?
Which of the following is associated with prolactin deficiency?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
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Which imaging study is mentioned for the diagnosis of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
Which imaging study is mentioned for the diagnosis of anterior pituitary hypofunction?
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What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?
What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?
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Which hormone is responsible for stimulating milk production?
Which hormone is responsible for stimulating milk production?
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Which gland is referred to as the hypophysis?
Which gland is referred to as the hypophysis?
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What is the function of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)?
What is the function of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)?
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What connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?
What connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?
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Which of the following hormones is known to inhibit the release of prolactin (PRL)?
Which of the following hormones is known to inhibit the release of prolactin (PRL)?
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Which part of the pituitary gland accounts for about 75% of the total weight?
Which part of the pituitary gland accounts for about 75% of the total weight?
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What does the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) stimulate the release of?
What does the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) stimulate the release of?
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What is the primary function of the hypophyseal portal system?
What is the primary function of the hypophyseal portal system?
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Which hormone is stored and released from the neurohypophysis but synthesized in the hypothalamus?
Which hormone is stored and released from the neurohypophysis but synthesized in the hypothalamus?
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Which anterior pituitary cell type secretes Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)?
Which anterior pituitary cell type secretes Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)?
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What role does oxytocin play after the delivery of a baby?
What role does oxytocin play after the delivery of a baby?
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In which nuclei of the hypothalamus is Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) synthesized?
In which nuclei of the hypothalamus is Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) synthesized?
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Which factor increases the secretion of ADH?
Which factor increases the secretion of ADH?
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Which hormone is negatively regulated by dopamine?
Which hormone is negatively regulated by dopamine?
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Which hormones are released by gonadotrophs?
Which hormones are released by gonadotrophs?
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What is a common cause of Cushing's disease?
What is a common cause of Cushing's disease?
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Which tumour is derived from developmental processes and is benign but increases in size due to fluid accumulation?
Which tumour is derived from developmental processes and is benign but increases in size due to fluid accumulation?
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Which of the following is a clinical feature of hyperprolactinaemia in men?
Which of the following is a clinical feature of hyperprolactinaemia in men?
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Which condition is life-threatening due to partial or complete deficiency of pituitary hormones?
Which condition is life-threatening due to partial or complete deficiency of pituitary hormones?
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What is the primary treatment option for a craniopharyngioma to prevent its recurrence?
What is the primary treatment option for a craniopharyngioma to prevent its recurrence?
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What happens if a large pituitary tumour extends upwards?
What happens if a large pituitary tumour extends upwards?
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Which symptom is NOT typically associated with Cushing's disease?
Which symptom is NOT typically associated with Cushing's disease?
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What is a common cause of acromegaly?
What is a common cause of acromegaly?
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Which disorder is characterized by an increase in size due to cholesterol-rich fluid accumulation?
Which disorder is characterized by an increase in size due to cholesterol-rich fluid accumulation?
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What is a sign of raised intracranial pressure resulting from hypothalamic disease?
What is a sign of raised intracranial pressure resulting from hypothalamic disease?
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Study Notes
Anterior Pituitary Hypofunction
- Causes: postpartum haemorrhage (Sheehan's syndrome), pituitary tumours, trauma, radiotherapy, infarction, infiltration, and infections
- Diagnosis: hormone assays (basal or stimulation tests) and imaging studies (e.g., CT scans)
Prolactin Deficiency
- Characterized by low serum prolactin levels
- May be caused by anterior pituitary hypofunction
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
- The hypothalamus is the major integrating link between the nervous and endocrine systems
- The hypothalamus receives input from the cortex, thalamus, limbic system, and internal organs
- The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland with different releasing and inhibiting hormones
- The hypothalamus produces releasing hormones, inhibiting hormones, oxytocin, and antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
- The hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate growth, development, metabolism, and homeostasis
Hormones of the Hypothalamus
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH): stimulates release of TSH
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): stimulates release of FSH and LH
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH): stimulates release of GH
- Somatostatin (SMS) or GHIH: inhibits release of GH and other hormones
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): stimulates release of ACTH
- Dopamine or PIH: inhibits release of PRL
- Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH): stimulates milk production
- Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH): stimulates water reabsorption in the renal tubule, muscle contraction, and decreases plasma osmolality
- Oxytocin: stimulates milk ejection and uterine contractions during labour
The Pituitary Gland
- The hypothalamus mainly controls the pituitary gland (hypophysis)
- The pituitary gland hangs down from the hypothalamus on a stalk called the infundibulum
- The gland is divided into an anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) and a posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)
- The anterior pituitary accounts for about 75% of the total weight of the gland
- The pituitary gland supplies blood to the anterior pituitary gland
Disorders of the Hypothalamus
Hypothalamic Tumours
- Causes: craniopharyngioma, pituitary tumours, and other tumours
- Effects: delayed puberty, small stature, anorexia nervosa
Disorders of the Pituitary Function
Anterior Pituitary Hyperfunction
- Causes: adenomas (macro and microadenomas), other tumours, infiltrations, and vascular disease
- Effects: hyperprolactinaemia (prolactin), Cushing's disease (ACTH), acromegaly (GH), and gigantism (GH)
Anterior Pituitary Hypofunction
- Causes: deficiency of a pituitary hormone (partial or complete deficiency), hypopituitarism
- Effects: prolactin deficiency, FSH and LH deficiency, GH deficiency, TSH deficiency, ACTH deficiency, and life-threatening conditions
Disorders of the Hypothalamus - Tumours
Craniopharyngioma
- Characteristics: benign, derived from developmental process, and may increase in size due to cholesterol-rich fluid accumulation
- Effects: space-occupying lesion, hypothalamic hormone deficiency
- Treatment: surgical excision of the cyst and irradiation to prevent recurrence
Pituitary Tumours
- Effects: compression of the hypothalamus, leading to hormone deficiencies
Other Tumours
- Effects: involvement of the hypothalamus, leading to hormone deficiencies
Craniopharyngioma
- Characteristics: type of tumour located near the pituitary gland, benign, and may increase in size due to fluid accumulation
- Effects: space-occupying lesion, hypothalamic hormone deficiency
- Treatment: surgical excision of the cyst and irradiation to prevent recurrence
Effects of Hypothalamic Disease
- Expanding lesions result in increasing hypothalamic dysfunction
- Large space-occupying lesions result in symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure
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Description
This quiz covers the causes and diagnosis of anterior pituitary hypofunction, including Sheehan's syndrome, pituitary tumors, and hormone assays. Test your knowledge of this important endocrine topic!
