Hypothalamus pituitary axis

2. Regulation of secretion
Higher centres
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Hormone
Pituitary hormone
Releasing hormone
Long feedback
Loop
eg. Thyroxine,
Cortisol
Short feedback
Loop
eg. LH, ACTH,
GH
Target gland

3. Hypothalamic Hormones
 CRH: Corticotrophin releasing
hormone (ACTH)
 TRH: Thyrotrophin releasing
hormone
 GHRH: GH releasing hormone
 Somatostatin: GH inhibition
 GnRH: Gonadotrophin (LH, FSH)
releasing hormone
 Dopamine: Prolactin inhibition
 Vasopressin: ACTH release

4. Structure of pituitary
Anterior
pituitary
Posterior
pituitary
Pituitary stalk
Portal vessels
Hypothalamic
releasing
hormones

5. Anterior pituitary hormones
 TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone
 ACTH: Adrenocorticotrophic hormone
 LH: Luteinising hormone
 FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone
 Prolactin
 GH: Growth hormone

7. lactotropes
Thyrotropes SomatotropesCorticotropes Gonadotropes

13. Posterior pituitary hormones
Store the hormones:
 Vasopressin/Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
 Oxytocin