Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

16. The Endocrine System

The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

Anatomy & Physiology

16. The Endocrine System

The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

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Multiple Choice

How does the hypothalamus control the anterior pituitary gland?

By altering blood pressure

Via the secretion of neurotransmitters

Through direct neural connections

By releasing hormones into the hypophyseal portal system

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system. It acts as a link between the nervous system and the endocrine system, primarily through its interaction with the pituitary gland.

Recognize that the anterior pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis, is regulated by the hypothalamus through hormonal signals rather than direct neural connections.

Learn about the hypophyseal portal system, a network of blood vessels that directly connects the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland, allowing hormones to be transported efficiently.

Identify the specific hormones released by the hypothalamus, such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which travel through the hypophyseal portal system to stimulate or inhibit the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary.

Conclude that the hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary gland by releasing hormones into the hypophyseal portal system, which then influence the secretion of various hormones from the anterior pituitary.