Pituitary Gland Functions and Hormones

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Questions and Answers

What is the pituitary gland?

Suspended from the hypothalamus by a stalk, consists of the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.

The pituitary gland consists largely of which two lobes?

Adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.

What hormones are secreted by the adenohypophysis?

FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, GH, and PRL.

What is a tropic hormone?

A hormone that stimulates another endocrine gland to release hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What effects does Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) have?

Growth of ovarian follicles and sperm production. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?

Ovulation and testosterone secretion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) target?

The adrenal cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Growth Hormone (GH)?

Widespread tissue growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Prolactin (PRL)?

Milk synthesis in mammary glands. Signup and view all the answers

What is the neurohypophysis?

The posterior pituitary that stores hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What role does oxytocin play in the body?

Labor contractions and milk release. Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?

Water retention in kidneys. Signup and view all the answers

What condition arises from hyposecretion of ADH?

Diabetes insipidus. Signup and view all the answers

What major hormone does the pineal gland produce?

Melatonin. Signup and view all the answers

What does calcitonin do?

Stimulates bone deposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?

Raises blood calcium levels. Signup and view all the answers

What does glucagon do?

Raises blood glucose levels. Signup and view all the answers

What role do alpha cells of the pancreas play?

Secrete glucagon. Signup and view all the answers

What type of hormones do the adrenal cortex produce?

Corticosteroids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine?

Promotes alertness and mobilizes energy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pituitary Gland

Known as the hypophysis, it connects to the hypothalamus via the infundibulum and resides in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.
Divided into two lobes: adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) and neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary).

Adenohypophysis Functions

Produces several hormones including tropic hormones: FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, GH, and PRL.
Tropic hormones stimulate other endocrine glands to release hormones influencing various body functions.

Tropic Hormones

FSH: Targets ovaries and testes; stimulates egg growth and estrogen production in females, and sperm production in males.
LH: Stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum in females; testosterone secretion in males.
ACTH: Stimulates adrenal cortex growth and glucocorticoid secretion.
TSH: Promotes thyroid growth and thyroid hormone secretion.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Targets liver, bones, muscles, and fat; facilitates growth and tissue repair.
Hyposecretion leads to dwarfism; hypersecretion can result in gigantism or acromegaly.

Prolactin (PRL)

Influences milk synthesis in mammary glands and increases sensitivity to LH in males.

Neurohypophysis Features

Acts mainly as a storage for hormones like oxytocin and ADH, which it releases upon hypothalamic nerve impulses.

Oxytocin (OT)

Targets the uterus and mammary glands; facilitates labor contractions and milk ejection.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Targets kidneys to regulate water retention; hyposecretion causes diabetes insipidus leading to dehydration.

Pineal Gland

Cone-shaped gland that produces melatonin, influencing circadian rhythms and possibly mood.

Thyroid Gland Composition

Comprised of two lobes connected by an isthmus; produces thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and calcitonin.

Thyroid Hormone (T3 and T4)

Regulates metabolic rate, appetite, respiratory rate, heart function, and growth; essential for fetal development.

Calcitonin

Targets bones, promoting calcium deposition, mainly impactful in children.

Parathyroid Gland Functions

Sits behind the thyroid; secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) essential for calcium balance.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Raises blood calcium levels via bone resorption; essential for maintaining skeletal health.

Thymus Gland

Located in superior thorax; shrinks with age, involved in T lymphocyte development.

Adrenal Glands Overview

Located atop kidneys; composed of medulla (releases epinephrine and norepinephrine) and cortex (produces corticosteroids).

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone): regulate sodium and water retention.
Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol): manage stress response, metabolism.
Gonadocorticoids: precursors for sex hormones affecting sexual characteristics.

Pancreas Functions

Serves dual role as an endocrine (insulin and glucagon) and exocrine gland (digestive enzymes).

Insulin and Glucagon

Insulin reduces blood glucose levels; glucagon elevates blood glucose levels by targeting liver.

Cardiac Hormone

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP): lowers blood volume and pressure via sodium and water loss in kidneys.

Anatomical Structures

Infundibulum connects pituitary to hypothalamus; sella turcica houses the pituitary gland.
Hypophyseal portal system links hypothalamus to anterior pituitary controlling hormone release.

Hormonal Cells in Pituitary

Acidophils: produce GH and PRL.
Basophils: secrete tropic hormones.
Chromophobes: unclear role in hormone production.

Adrenal Cortex Zones

Zona Glomerulosa: mineralocorticoid production (aldosterone).
Zona Fasciculata: glucocorticoid production (cortisol).
Zona Reticularis: produces sex hormones and some glucocorticoids.

Additionally

Composition of pancreatic islets consists of alpha and beta cells regulating blood glucose.
Acinar cells produce digestive enzymes, playing a crucial role in nutrient absorption.

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Description

This quiz covers the anatomy and functions of the pituitary gland, focusing on the adenohypophysis and its production of tropic hormones. Test your knowledge on how these hormones affect various endocrine glands and their roles in the body's functions.