Pitutary GLND
Pitutary GLND
Pitutary GLND
Pituitary gland
The pars distalis is the larger portion, and the pars tuberalis forms a sheath
around the infundibulum.
The posterior pituitary (posterior lobe), also called the neurohypophysis, also
consists of two parts: the pars nervosa, the larger bulbar portion, and the
infundibulum.
A third region of the pituitary gland called the pars intermedia atrophies
during human fetal development and ceases to exist as a separate lobe in
adults.
However, some of its cells migrate into adjacent parts of the anterior
pituitary, where they persist.
Anterior Pituitary
From the primary plexus, blood drains into the hypophyseal portal veins that
pass down the outside of the infundibulum.
In the anterior pituitary, the hypophyseal portal veins divide again and form
another capillary network called the secondary plexus of the hypophyseal
portal system.
• Near the median eminence and above the optic chiasm are clusters of
specialized neurons, called neurosecretory cells.
• They synthesize the hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones
in their cell bodies. The hormones then diffuse into the primary plexus of the
hypophyseal portal system.
Quickly, the hypothalamic hormones flow with the blood through the portal
veins and into the secondary plexus.
This direct route permits hypothalamic hormones to act immediately on
anterior pituitary cells, before the hormones are diluted or destroyed in the
general circulation.
FSH and LH both act on the gonads. They stimulate secretion of estrogens and
progesterone and the maturation of oocytes in the ovaries, and they stimulate
sperm production and secretion of testosterone in the testes.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Corticotrophs secrete mainly adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
ACTH controls the production and secretion of cortisol and other
glucocorticoids by the cortex (outer portion)of the adrenal glands.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates
secretion of ACTH by corticotrophs.
Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) increases skin pigmentation
in amphibians by stimulating the dispersion of melanin granules in
melanocytes.
Posterior Pituitary
The posterior lobe plus the infundibulum make up the region called the
neurohypophysis .
In the posterior pituitary, the inferior hypophyseal arteries drain into the
capillary plexus of the infundibular process, a capillary network that
receives secreted oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone.
From this plexus, hormones pass into the posterior hypophyseal veins for
distribution to target cells in other tissues.
Oxytocin
During and after delivery of a baby, oxytocin affects two target tissues: the
mother’s uterus and breasts. During delivery, oxytocin enhances contraction of
smooth muscle cells in the wall of the uterus; after delivery, it stimulates milk
ejection (“letdown”) from the mammary glands in response to the mechanical
stimulus provided by a suckling infant.
Antidiuretic Hormone
As its name implies, an antidiuretic is a substance that decreases urine
production. ADH causes the kidneys to return more water to the blood, thus
decreasing urine volume.
This hormone’s other name, vasopressin, reflects this effect on blood pressure.
The amount of ADH secreted varies with blood osmotic pressure and blood
volume.
points
The median eminence is a part of the hypothalamus from which regulatory hormones are released. It is integral to the
hypophyseal portal system, which connects the hypothalamus with the pituitary gland
The optic chiasm, or optic chiasma is the part of the brain where the optic nerves cross. It is located at the
bottom of the brain immediately inferior to the hypothalamus
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF), formerly called somatomedin, any of several peptide hormones that function primarily to
stimulate growth but that also possess some ability to decrease blood glucose levels
Prolactin is present in men but has not yet got a clear role. It is a field for investigation. Hypersecretion of prolactin in men has been
associated with decreased sexual desire, infertility, reduction of testosterone and erectile dysfunction
Oxytocin in males: secreted . Function little known. May have: sperms movement, testosterone production, social/ sexual behaviour.