This is a brief presentation on Hypothalamus and Pituitary gland by suleman

1. HYPOTHALAMUS
Table of Contents :
•What is Hypothalamus?
•Structure of Hypothalamus
•Functions of Hypothalamus
•Hormones Secreted by
Hypothalamus
•Hypothalamic Disorders

2. What is Hypothalamus?
• Hypothalamus is a minute region, almost the size of an almond,
present at the Centre of the human brain, near the pituitary gland.
It plays a vital role in the production of hormones. Maintaining the hypothalamus
health is very important. Its improper functioning causes several disorders.

3. Structure of Hypothalamus:
• The structure of hypothalamus is made up of three main regions:
• Anterior region
• Middle region
• Posterior region

4. Anterior Region:
• The anterior region is also known as the supraoptic region.
• It regulates body temperature and maintains the circadian rhythm.
Following are the hormones secreted by the anterior region of the
hypothalamus:
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone
• Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
• Oxytocin
• Vasopressin
• Somatostatin

5. Posterior Region:
• This region is also known as the mammillary region.
• The major nuclei include posterior hypothalamic nucleus and
mammillary nuclei.
• The posterior hypothalamic nuclei cause shivering and blockage of
sweat and thus regulates the body temperature.
• The mammillary nuclei, on the contrary, are believed to be involved in
the memory function.

6. Functions of Hypothalamus:
The hypothalamus contains osmotic sensors that react to the concentration of
sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, and chloride. When the blood pressure is very
low these osmotic sensors and baroreceptors intimate the kidneys to store or
release water to maintain the concentration of these substances.
Following are the important functions of the hypothalamus:
• Its main function is maintaining the body’s internal balance- homeostasis.
• It also connects the endocrine and the nervous system.
• Hypothalamus stimulates or inhibits many of the body’s activities in order to
maintain homeostasis, such as regulating body temperature, appetite and body
weight, heart rate and blood pressure, etc.

7. It is involved in many essential functions of the
body, including:
• Emotions.
• Sleep cycles.
• Balancing body fluids.
• Appetite and thirst control.
• Blood pressure and heart rate.

8. Hormones Secreted by Hypothalamus
• Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone: This hormone is responsible for the
regulation of metabolic and immune response.
• Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone: It triggers the pituitary gland to release a
thyroid-stimulating hormone which plays a major role in the functioning of
organs of the body such as heart, muscles, etc.
• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: It stimulates the pituitary gland to
release several reproductive hormones.
• Oxytocin: It is involved in several processes such as lactation, childbirth,
regulating sleep cycles, maintaining body temperature.
• Somatostatin: This hormone is also known as Growth Hormone Inhibiting
Hormone. It regulates the endocrine system and affects the
neurotransmission and cell proliferation by interacting with G-protein
coupled receptors.

9. THE MIDDLE REGION OF HYPOTHALAMUS:
• The middle region of hypothalamus stimulates the release of Growth
Hormone Releasing Hormone. This hormone plays a major role in the
growth and development of the body.

10. Hypothalamic Disorders:
Every hormone should be secreted at accurate levels. Very high or very
low secretions can lead to hypothalamic disorders. Hypothalamic
disorders can be due to the following problems:
• Head injuries
• Genetic disorders
• Tumours in the hypothalamus
• Disorders in eating
• Brain surgeries
• Autoimmune disorders

11. The symptoms that indicate a hypothalamic
disorder include:
• Body temperature fluctuations
• Infertility
• Unusually high or low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Change in appetite
• Frequent urination
• Delayed puberty
Overall, the hypothalamus is a small region present in the centre of the
brain, which plays a major role in signalling the Pituitary Gland to release
hormones to the rest of the endocrine system.

12. PITUITARY GLAND:
• The Pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a pea-sized
endocrine gland situated at the base of our brain. It is often referred
to as the ‘Master Gland’ because it produces some of the important
hormones in the body. It is situated in a bony structure called the
Pituitary fossa, just below the hypothalamus, close to the optic nerve.

13. PARTS OF PITUITARY GLAND:
The pituitary gland is divided into three parts :
• Anterior pituitary
• Intermediate pituitary (Absent in adult human beings)
• Posterior pituitary

14. Function Of Hormones Secreted By Pituitary
Gland:
• A healthy adult human’s pituitary gland consists of two parts – the
Anterior and the Posterior parts. The Intermediate pituitary regresses
during gestation and is absent in adult humans. Following are the
major functions of hormones:
• The anterior pituitary is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of several
key hormones in the body.

15. A CLEAR VIEW OF PITUITARY GLAND:

16. Pituitary disorders:
• Pituitary disorders affect the functioning of the pituitary gland,
increasing or decreasing the level of certain hormone secretion. This
generally happens because of a non-cancerous tumour called the
pituitary adenoma.

17. KEY WORDS:
• Homeostasis-homeostasis is the state of steady internal, physical, and
chemical conditions maintained by living systems.
• Minute- Very Small
• Circadian Rhythm-physical, mental, and behavioral changes that
follow a 24-hour cycle

18. - SULEMAN