Hypothalamus & Pituitary: Nervous Control of our Endocrine System
Webpage by Hannah Vandenberg January 2021
Where are they?
The Pituitary
A small gland found at the base of the brain, underneath the hypothalamus, behind the nose, and in between the ears. It’s about the size of a pea, and it has two lobes, the anterior and posterior.
The Hypothalamus
A small part of the brain, found in the center, bottom under the thalamus.
Main Purpose
The Pituitary Gland is one of largest hormone producing glands in the body.
The hormones it produces includes: GH, LH, FSH, ADH, TSH and prolactin.
Some of the hormones it produces travel to other glands in the body and stimulate production of other hormones.
The Hypothalamus is the switchboard for homeostasis in the body. It regulates temperature, water, and food intake.
It is also involved in producing important hormones for the endocrine system.
How is the endocrine system is controlled by the nervous system?
The hypothalamus is part of the brain, which means it's also part of the central nervous system.
It is partially controlled by the sensory/motor nervous system. Certain sensory neurons send the hypothalamus information about changes in the blood, body chemistry or in body temperature.
After receiving and interpreting these signals the hypothalamus produces neurohormones. The neurohormones are sent along the nerves, which connect to a part of the bloodstream. The neurohormones diffuse into the portal vein and capallaries and travel to the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland receives the neurohormones, which tell it which hormones need to be produced, and which ones can stop being produced.
The hormones secreted by the pituitary are then released into the bloodstream to reach their target tissues.
Potential Problems
Many hypothalamus-related diseases have to do with under-production of hormones, which affect other parts of the body, but there are not many issues that directly affect the hypothalamus.
The mostly likely problem to directly affect the hypothalamus control would have to do with nerve connections. If the hypothalamus is not receiving the signals then the issues cannot be corrected. This in the long run could become quite uncomfortable or even lethal.
Other Resources
https://study.com/academy/lesson/hypothalamus-function-role-definition.html
The above link provides what appears to be a very informative video. Unfortunately if you wish to watch the entire video you must make an account
The video on the left contains an explanation of how the hormones go from the hypothalamus to the body.
Bibliography
Fraser, D., B.Sc., B.Ed., LeDrew, B., B.Sc.,B.Ed., Vavitsas, A., B.Sc.(Hons), B.Ed., & White-McMahon, M., Ed.D. (2012). The Endocrine Glands. In Biology 12 (pp. 473-477). Toronto, Canada: Nelson Education.
M. (n.d.). Hypothalamic dysfunction. Retrieved January 28, 2021, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/hypothalamic-dysfunction
Murrell, D., MD. (2018, August 22). Hypothalamus: Function, hormones, and disorders. Retrieved January 28, 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312628
Nella, K., MD, & Ginnard, O., DO. (2019, February 14). Pediatrice Endocrine. Retrieved January 25, 2021, from https://www.utmb.edu/pedi_ed/CoreV2/Endocrine/Endocrine2.html#:~:text=Disorders%20of%20the%20hypothalamus%20and%2For%20anterior%20pituitary%20can%20also,see%20growth%20disorders%20section)%20and
Pituitary Gland. (2018, February). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/pituitary-gland/
Pop, M., Crivii, C., & Opincariu, I. (2018, November 05). Anatomy and Function of the Hypothalamus. Retrieved January 25, 2021, from https://www.intechopen.com/books/hypothalamus-in-health-and-diseases/anatomy-and-function-of-the-hypothalamus
Sargis, R. M., MD, PhD. (2015, August 4). An Overview of the Hypothalamus. Retrieved January 28, 2021, from https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-hypothalamus#:~:text=The%20portion%20of%20the%20brain,other%20hormones%20throughout%20the%20body.