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?
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What effects does Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) have?
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What is the function of Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?
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What does Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) target?
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What is the primary role of Growth Hormone (GH)?
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What is the function of Prolactin (PRL)?
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What is the neurohypophysis?
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What role does oxytocin play in the body?
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What is the action of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
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What condition arises from hyposecretion of ADH?
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What major hormone does the pineal gland produce?
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What does calcitonin do?
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What is the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
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What does glucagon do?
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What role do alpha cells of the pancreas play?
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What type of hormones do the adrenal cortex produce?
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What is the primary effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine?
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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.
