Anatomy Ch. 17 - The Pituitary Gland

Inhibiting Hormones

- These are hormones produced by the hypothalamus, used to inhibit secretion of hormones from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

- This hormone signals the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone

Pars Intermedia

- This is the region of the adenohypophysis (anterior lobe) of the pituitary gland just posterior to the pars distalis

Pars Tuberalis

- This is the region of the adenohypophysis (anterior lobe) of the pituitary gland superior to the pars distalis

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

- In females, this hormone stimulates maturation of the egg-containing ovarian follicles and the secretion of androgens - In males, this hormone stimulates the maturation of sperm cells and the production of adrogen-binding protein by cells in the sperm-forming tubules

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

- In females, this hormone stimulates maturation of the egg-containing ovarian follicles and the secretion of androgens; additionally is secreted in large amounts in the middle of menstrual cycle to induce ovulation - In males, this hormone signals the secretion of androgens

Releasing (Factors) Hormones

- These are hormones produced by the hypothalamus, used to stimulate secretion of hormones from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Gonadotropins

- These encompass follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones, produced by gonadotropic cells

Chromophobes

- This class of cells consists of either immature cells or cells whose supply of hormone has been depleted, both of which stain poorly

Acidophils

- This class of cells of the pars distalis consists of somatotropic and prolactin cells; visualized by acidic stain

Basophils

- This class of cells of the pars distalis consists of thyrotropic, corticotropic, and gonadotropic cells; visualized by basic stain

Pituitary Gland

- This endocrine gland is located in the hypophyseal fossa of the sella turcica of the ethmoid bone, and is responsible for the secretion of several different hormones - This gland is also called the hypophysis

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH)

- This hormone functions in the CNS in appetite suppression; its actions outside of which are not known

Oxytocin

- This hormone induces contraction of the smooth musculature of reproductive organs in both males and females - This hormone is synthesized in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

Growth Hormone (GH)

- This hormone stimulates body cells to increase their production of proteins, and stimulate growth of the epiphyseal plates of the skeleton.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

- This hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete hormones that help the body cope with stress

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

- This hormone stimulates the kidneys to resorb water, returning it to the bloodstream - This hormone is synthesized in the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus

Prolactin

- This hormone stimulates the manufacture of milk by lactiferous glands in the breasts

Infundibulum

- This is the "stalk" of the pituitary gland that is the inferior extension of the hypothalamus

Adenohypophysis

- This is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, subdivided into the pars distalis, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis

Pars Distalis

- This is the anteriormost portion of the adenohypophysis (anterior lobe) of the pituitary gland, responsible for making and secreting at least seven different hormones

Tropic Hormones

- This is the general name for hormones that regulate the secretion of other hormones

Pars Nervosa

- This is the inferior region of the neurohypophysis (posterior lobe) of the pituitary gland - This is the region in which hormones of the neurohypophysis are stored

Infundibular

- This is the more superior region of the neurohypophysis (posterior lobe) of the pituitary gland

Neurohypophysis

- This is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, subdivided into the pars nervosa, and infundibular

Secondary Capillary Plexus

- This is the region in which regulatory hormones secreted by the hypothalamus exit the blood and enter the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Primary Capillary Plexus

- This is the region where secreted releasing hormones enter the blood stream traveling to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Hypophyseal Portal System

- This is the system through which regulatory hormones, produced by the hypothalamus, travel to get to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Hypophyseal Portal Veins

- This is the vein through which regulatory hormones, secreted by the hypothalamus, travel en route to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Hypothalamic-Hypophyseal Tract

- This structure is made up of the unmyelinated axons which originate from neural cell bodies located in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus - Hormones produced in those two nuclei travel through here to be stored in the axon terminals in the posterior lobe of the pituitary