Hypothalamus

Biology

definition

Hypothalamus- origin, location and structure

The hypothalamus is the basal part of the diencephalon, forebrain. It controls many bodily functions along with the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
Origin
  • Develops from the ectoderm layer of the embryo
Location
  • Below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland and brain stem
Structure
  • It is a small cone-shaped structure of the forebrain which is connected to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland by hypophyseal portal veins.
  • It contains several groups of neurosecretory cells called nuclei.
  • The nuclei secrete hormones.

definition

Types of hormones produced by Hypothalamus

The hormones produced by hypothalamus are classified into 2 groups based on whether they stimulate or inhibit hormone production when they act on pituitary gland. The two types areĀ 
Releasing hormones
  • They act on pituitary gland and stimulate it to produce/release hormones (e.g. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone - stimulates the release of gonadotropin from the pituitary)
Inhibiting hormones
  • They act on pituitary gland and stop/inhibit the secretion of hormones (e.g. somatostatin - stops growth hormone release from pituitary)

definition

Hormones of the hypothalamus

The hypothalamus produces various hormones which act on pituitary gland stimulating it to release hormones or stop/inhibit certain hormone secretions. The various releasing and inhibiting hormones produced by hypothalamus areĀ 

  1. Adrenocorticotropin releasing hormone (ARH)
  2. Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
  3. Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
  4. Growth hormone inhibitory hormone (GHIH)
  5. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
  6. Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH)
  7. Prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH)
  8. MSH releasing hormone (MSHRH)
  9. MSH inhibiting hormone (MSHIH)

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Pituitary Gland

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Adrenal Glands

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Pineal Gland

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Pancreas

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Thyroid Gland

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Parathyroid Glands

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Testes and Ovaries

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Thymus Gland

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