1. The pituitary gland is often thought of as the “master” endocrine gland becau
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Question
1. The pituitary gland is often thought of as the “master” endocrine gland because of its regulatory role over other endocrine glands. Make an argument in favor of designating the hypothalamus as the master endocrine gland instead of the pituitary gland. Use specific examples of endocrine pathways to show how the hypothalamus interacts with the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland in a regulatory manner. Also describe the physical structures through which the hypothalamus communicates with each lobe.
Explanation / Answer
Hypothalamus is the portion of the brain lying below the thalamus and makes the floor of third cerebral ventricle. Hypothalamus is a small structure that projects downward in the infundibular stock of the pituitary gland. It is the link between the endocrine and nervous system.
Function of the hypothalamus:
The hypothalamus secretes a number of neurotransmitter, neuropeptides and neurohormones that alter the anterior and posterior pituitary function. It also produces vasopressin and oxytocin hormone.
The hypothalamic neurohomones are known as releasing hormones because their main function is to stimulate the hormones of anterior pituitary gland.
There are number of hormones secreted by hypothalamus
1. Antidiuretic hormone: It causes water reabsorption fromt the kidneys.
2. Coritcotropin releasing hormone: It sends messsage to the anterior pituitary gland which stimulate the adrenal glands to releas corticosteroids which regulate metabolism and immune response.
3. Gonadotropin releasing hormone : It stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH which ensure normal function of ovaries or testes.
4. Oxytocin regulates sleep, tempearature as well as release of milk for lactating mothers.
5. Hypothalamus also stimulates the prolactin releasing hormone or inhibitiing hormone to regulate the supply of milk.
6. it also modulates thyrotropin releasing hormone which plays a key function in thyroid function.
7. Many other key functions like satiety, GI stimulation, increase in blood pressure, pupillary reflexes. thermoregulataion are controlled by the hypothalamus.
Thus the hypothalamus acts as a main regulatory body that regulates the function of pituitary gland. Hence we can conclude that it is the hypothalamus which mainly regulates the pituitary gland function and therefore can be termed as the" true mjaster" in controlling the important body functions.
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