Question

1. Explain the role of the hypothalamus in regulating pituitary control of endocrine function:

Answer 1

Hypothalamus :

The almond sized hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and sits above the brainstem.

All vertebrae brains have hypothalamus.

Hypothalamus connects the information from the nervous system to the hormone releases of the endocrine system.

It's primary function is to maintain homeostasis (stability of the internal environment) in the body.

The hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine systems by way of the pituitary gland.

It's function is to secrete releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones that stimulates or inhibit production of hormones from the anterior pituitary.

Specialized neuron clusters called neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus produce hormones anti-diuretic hormone(ADH) and oxytocin ( OCT) and transport them to the pituitary where they are stored for later release.

Attached to the hypothalamus,is a pituitary gland,,itbis a pea sized, reddish gray body that stores hormones from the hypothalamus and release them to the blood stream.

The hormones produced in the hypothalamus are corticotropin releasing hormone,dopamine, growth hormone releasing hormone,somatostatin, gonadotropin releasing hormone and thyrotropin relesrele hormone.

These releasing hormones release hormone from the anterior pituitary and inhibiting hormones inhibit secretion from anterior pituitary.