Pituitary Gland Structure and Function
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary anatomical structure that connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?

  • Foramen magnum
  • Pituitary stalk (correct)
  • Sella turcica
  • Optic chiasm
  • Which division of the pituitary gland is derived from ectodermal tissue?

  • Anterior pituitary (correct)
  • Hypothalamic stalk
  • Posterior pituitary
  • Pars intermedia
  • In terms of physiological functions, which hormone is primarily associated with growth and metabolic processes?

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone
  • Luteinizing hormone
  • Growth hormone (correct)
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone
  • What structural feature is found between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands?

    <p>Pars intermedia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the anterior and posterior pituitary glands differ fundamentally in terms of their embryological origin?

    <p>Anterior from ectoderm, posterior from neuroectoderm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland?

    <p>Hormones from the hypothalamus regulate the secretion of pituitary hormones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average weight range of the pituitary gland in grams?

    <p>0.5 to 1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which physiological factor may trigger the secretion of growth hormone?

    <p>Hypoglycemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cells in the anterior pituitary are not secretory and serve as precursors to chromophil cells?

    <p>Chromophobe cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of chromophil cells in the anterior pituitary are classified as somatotropes?

    <p>30% to 40%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following anterior pituitary hormones is classified as a glycoprotein?

    <p>Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of cell in the anterior pituitary secretes prolactin?

    <p>Lactotropes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option correctly identifies the classification of ACTH based on its related peptides?

    <p>ACTH related peptides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which anterior pituitary cells primarily secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)?

    <p>Corticotropes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of staining property distinguishes acidophilic cells from basophilic cells?

    <p>Color reaction to specific stains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone primarily stimulates the release of growth hormone?

    <p>Growth hormone-releasing hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of anterior pituitary cells are classified as chromophobe cells?

    <p>50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the major function of the first 24 amino acids of ACTH?

    <p>To increase pigmentation of the skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the anterior pituitary hormones is true?

    <p>Luteinizing hormone stimulates the ovaries and testes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system serve?

    <p>It carries neurohormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone is associated with analgesic properties and is present in the brain and gastrointestinal tract?

    <p>Beta endorphin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a releasing hormone secreted by the hypothalamus?

    <p>Adrenocorticotropic-releasing hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the first five hormones of the anterior pituitary?

    <p>They are classified as tropic hormones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary action of prolactin-inhibitory hormone (PIH)?

    <p>Inhibits the secretion of prolactin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Objectives

    • Students should be able to describe the pituitary gland's structure and its relationship to function.
    • Define the anterior pituitary cell types and their control mechanisms.
    • Define growth hormone effects on growth and metabolism, and how IGF-I mediates its actions.
    • List growth hormone secretion stimuli and their underlying causes.
    • Understand abnormal pituitary function and growth hormone conditions, and their treatments.

    Pituitary Gland

    • The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is a small endocrine gland (1 cm diameter, 0.5-1g weight).
    • Located in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull.
    • Connected to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk (hypophyseal stalk).
    • Divided into two parts:
      • Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis)
      • Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)
    • Both divisions are close together, but have different developments, structures, and functions.
    • Pars intermedia is a small, relatively avascular structure between the divisions.

    Pituitary Gland Anatomy

    • Anterior and posterior pituitary divisions develop from different embryonic sources.
      • Anterior pituitary is ectodermal, arising from Rathke's pouch.
      • Posterior pituitary is neuroectodermal, arising from the hypothalamus.
    • These two divisions grow towards each other, merging midway between the buccal cavity and brain.

    Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis)

    • Also known as the 'master gland', regulating other endocrine glands.
    • Composed of three parts: Pars distalis, Pars tuberalis, and Pars intermedia.

    Histology of Anterior Pituitary

    • Two main cell types:
      • Chromophobe cells: Do not stain well, comprise 50% of anterior pituitary cells, thought to be precursor cells to chromophil cells.
      • Chromophil cells: Darkly stain due to granules, classified by staining property or secretory nature.
        • Classification by staining property:
          • Acidophils (35%): Stain bright pink, include somatotropes and lactotropes.
          • Basophils (15%): Stain deep blue, include corticotropes, thyrotropes, and gonadotropes.
        • Classification by secretory nature:
          • Somatotropes: Secrete growth hormone (GH).
          • Corticotropes: Secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
          • Thyrotropes: Secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
          • Gonadotropes: Secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
          • Lactotropes: Secrete prolactin.

    Regulation of Anterior Pituitary Secretion

    • Hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary by releasing and inhibiting hormones (neurohormones).
    • These neurohormones are transported to the anterior pituitary via the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal vessels.

    Releasing and Inhibiting Hormones (Hypothalamus)

    • Growth Hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
    • Growth Hormone-releasing polypeptide (GHRP)
    • Growth Hormone-inhibitory hormone (GHIH) or somatostatin
    • Thyrotropic-releasing hormone (TRH)
    • Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
    • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
    • Prolactin-inhibitory hormone (PIH)

    Hormones Secreted by Anterior Pituitary

    • Growth hormone
    • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
    • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
    • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
    • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
    • Prolactin

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    Pituitary Gland PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the anatomy and physiology of the pituitary gland, focusing on its structure, cell types, and the effects of growth hormone on metabolism. Students will learn about the stimuli for growth hormone secretion, the role of IGF-I, and conditions related to abnormal pituitary function. Prepare to delve into the intricate workings of this crucial endocrine gland.

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