Questions and Answers
What are the two main anatomical divisions of the pituitary gland?
Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating the growth of mammary glands?
What condition can result from excess secretion of growth hormone in adults?
Which hormone stimulates the synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids?
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Which hormone produced by the anterior pituitary stimulates ovulation in females?
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What is the primary function of follicle stimulating hormone in females?
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Which part of the pituitary gland secretes only one hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone?
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How does excess growth hormone affect adults, particularly in middle age?
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What is the relationship between the hypothalamus and the neurohypophysis?
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Which hormone stimulates spermatogenesis in males?
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Study Notes
Pituitary Gland Overview
- Located in the sella turcica, connected to the hypothalamus by a stalk.
- Divided into two main parts: adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) and neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary).
Adenohypophysis
- Composed of pars distalis and pars intermedia.
- Pars distalis produces key hormones:
- Growth Hormone (GH): Regulates growth; over-secretion leads to gigantism, under-secretion causes dwarfism.
- Prolactin (PRL): Stimulates mammary gland growth and milk production.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Promotes thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion.
- Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH): Stimulates glucocorticoid production from adrenal cortex.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Involved in gonadal function, induces ovulation, and maintains corpus luteum in females.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Stimulates ovarian follicle growth in females and regulates spermatogenesis in males.
- Pars intermedia primarily secretes melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) but is largely merged with pars distalis in humans.
Neurohypophysis
- Also known as pars nervosa; stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
- Key hormones:
- Oxytocin: Involved in childbirth and lactation.
- Vasopressin (Antidiuretic Hormone): Regulates water balance in the body.
Hormonal Disorders
- Acromegaly: Caused by excess GH in adults, leads to facial disfigurement and serious health issues.
- Early diagnosis is challenging, often diagnosed years after changes become apparent.
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Description
Explore the structure and function of the pituitary gland, including its two main parts: the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. Understand the key hormones produced by the adenohypophysis and their roles in growth, reproduction, and metabolism. This quiz will test your knowledge of hormonal regulation and endocrine system functions.
