Hypothalamus

  • It is the basal part of diencephalon, fore brain and it regulates a wide spectrum of body functions. It is considered as supreme commander of endocrine system. It contains several groups of neurosecretory cells called nuclei which produce hormones. These hormones regulate the synthesis and secretion of pituitary hormones. Hypothalamus serves as an anatomical connection between neural system and endocrine system.
  • The hormones secreted by hypothalamus are of two types, the releasing hormones (which stimulates secretion of pituitary hormones) and the inhibiting hormones (which inhibit secretions of pituitary hormones). For example a hypothalamic hormone called Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the pituitary synthesis and release of gonadotrophins. On the other hand, somatostatin from the hypothalamus inhibits the release of growth hormone from the pituitary. These hormones originating in the hypothalamic neurons, pass through axons and are released from their nerve endings. Various other hormones secreted by hypothalamus are Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH or TSH-RH), Adrenocorticotropin releasing hormone (ARH or ACTH-RH), Somatotropin releasing hormone or growth hormone- releasing hormone (SRH or GH-RH), Prolactin releasing hormone or luteotrophic or lactogenic hormone releasing hormone (PRH, LTH-RH), Prolactin inhibiting hormone and Melanocyte stimulating hormone and melanocyte inhibiting hormone (MSH and MIH). These hormones reach the pituitary gland through a portal circulatory system and regulate the hormones secreted by anterior and middle lobes of pituitary. The posterior pituitary is under the direct neural regulation of hypothalamus.
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