Objectives

• Describe the location of the hypothalamus

and pituitary
• Explain the relationship between the
hypothalamus and pituitary
• List the secretions of the hypothalamus &
pituitary gland
• Explain the feedback loops
• This consortium forms the most complex
and dominant portion of entire endocrine
system
• Output of this unit regulates the function of
the thyroid gland, adrenal gland and also
shares the control of somatic growth,
lactation, milk secretion and water
metabolism
 Anatomy
• Pituitary lies in the sella turcica of sphenoid
bone below hypothalamus at base of brain
• Blood supply is from the superior and
inferior hypophyseal arteries
• There is a portal system from the median
eminence
• pituitary has two lobes the anterior and the
posterior
 Histology
• Post lobe: endings of SON and PVN can be
observed in close relation to the blood
vessels
• Pituicytes (modified asrocytes) are also
present
 Anterior pituitary
• Also known as the adenohypophysis
• Larger in women than males
• Blood supply is via portal veins (O 2 and
hormones)
• With the exception of a few autonomic
fibres to blood vessels, there is no nerve
supply to the anterior pituitary
02/06/24 6
 Hypothalamic function
• Plays a key role in the regulation of
pituitary function
• It receives afferents from
• (a) Thalamus e) neocortex
• (b) reticular formation
• (c) limbic system
• (d) eyes
• Therefore pituitary function can be
influenced by pain, sleep, emotion, light
and possibly thought
• Close connections with the ANS allow
coordination btwn ANS and pituitary
function
• HP axis is under the influence of blood
borne substances and neural input
 Hypophysiotropic hormones
• These are hormones secreted by the
hypothalamus which influence pituitary
function
• They are either releasing or inhibiting
factors
• The hormones include CRH, TRH, GHRH,
GnRH, Dopamine, serotonin
• Most are peptides except dopamine
02/06/24 10
Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis
 HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY LINK
 Anatomical - vascular and neural
supply.
 Failure of auto transplanted pituitaries
to function normally.
 Sectioning portal blood supply blocks
pituitary function.
 Hypothalamic extracts stimulate
pituitary hormone secretion.
 Stimulation or destruction of specific
hypothalamic areas alters pituitary 12
02/06/24
Posterior Pituitary
 Post Pituitary
• Located towards the back of the head
• Also known as the neurohypophysis
• Composed of the axon terminals of neurons
whose cell bodies are situated in the
hypothalamus
• It is responsible for secretion of vasopressin
and oxytocin
• The structures of the two hormones are
similar, with 2 different amino acid residues
• They are synthesised in the hypothalamus
• Vasopressin is synthesised mainly in the
SON and oxytocin is synthesised mainly in
the PVN, although both nuclei produce each
hormone
• Secretes vasopressin (ADH) and oxytocin
• Vasopressin acts on smooth muscle cells
(vasoconstriction), increase blood pressure
• Also in kidneys to decrease water excretion
in urine
 Oxytocin
• Stimulates contraction of smooth muscle cells
• Augmentation of labour by increasing uterine
contractions
• Ejaculation in males
• May be responsible for propulsion of sperms in
the female during or after intercourse
 Anterior Pituitary
• Different hypothalamic nuclei send
terminals to the median eminence.
• 8 hormones are secreted by the gland FSH,
LH, GH (somatotropin), TSH, prolactin &
ACTH
• There is also beta lipotropin & beta
endorphin
To prevent runaway
secretion of cortisol
during a stressful
interval, this adrenal
steroid hormone exerts
a negative-feedback
relationship to the
hypothalamic and
pituitary hormones that
influence cortisol
synthesis.

02/06/24 18
 Role of non sequence hormones
• Estrogen enhances prolactin secretion from
the anterior pituitary