Human Anatomy and Physiology : Help with Pituitary and Hypothalamus Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

Which of the following hormones is created in the hypothalamus, then sent to the pituitary gland?

Possible Answers:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Oxytocin

Prolactin

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

The pituitary gland can be further divided into the anterior and posterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary gland creates and secretes its hormones, but the posterior pituitary gland does not create its hormones. Instead, the hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland are created in the hypothalamus, and are then sent to the pituitary gland. The two hormones made in the hypothalamus are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are synthesized and secreted from the anterior pituitary.

Example Question #1 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

Which of the following hormones is not produced by the anterior pituitary gland?

Possible Answers:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Luteinizing hormone

Growth hormone

Prolactin

Anti-diuretic hormone

Correct answer:

Anti-diuretic hormone

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary produces six hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The posterior pituitary releases only two hormones: anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin) and oxytocin.

Example Question #3 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

Which of the following hormones is not released by the anterior pituitary gland?

Possible Answers:

Luteinizing hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Oxytocin

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Prolactin

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary gland releases seven hormones. Four of these are tropic hormones, meaning that they act on other glands to stimulate other hormone activity. These four are follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and thyroid-stimulation hormone. The other three secretions are prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone.

The hormones of the anterior pituitary can be remembered using the mnemonic "FLAT PEG."

Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary, along with antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin).

Example Question #3 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

What gland secretes oxytocin?

Possible Answers:

Pineal gland

Thyroid gland 

Posterior pituitary gland

Anterior pituitary gland

Correct answer:

Posterior pituitary gland

Explanation:

Oxytocin is a hormone found in both males and females, but serves a more widely recognized role in females. It is released from the posterior pituitary gland, along with antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) hormone. Oxytocin is responsible for stimulating contractions during childbirth and is one of only a few hormones to be controlled via positive feedback.

Example Question #4 : Gland Physiology

The pituitary gland is under control of the __________.

Possible Answers:

hypothalamus 

adrenal gland 

cerebellum 

thalamus 

thyroid 

Correct answer:

hypothalamus 

Explanation:

The pituitary gland is under the control of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus determines which and how much of each hormone the pituitary will release by secreting releasing and/or inhibiting factors. The pituitary gland is connected to the base of the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk. 

Example Question #3 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

Antidiuretic hormone is produced by the __________ and released by the __________.

Possible Answers:

hypothalamus . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

hypothalamus . . . adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)

adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) . . . adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)

neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) . . . adrenal medulla

neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Correct answer:

hypothalamus . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Explanation:

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus and travels down nerve ending from the hypothalamus to be released from the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). ADH is the hormone that is responsible for reabsorbing water back into the blood stream at the level of the kidney.

Example Question #3 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

Which of the following hormones is not produced by the anterior pituitary?

Possible Answers:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Oxytocin

Growth hormone

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary produces seven products : follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone (GH). The posterior pituitary produces oxytocin and anti diuretic hormone (ADH). To remember the anterior pituitary products, think of the mnemonic FLAT PEG:

FSH

LH

ACTH

TSH

Prolactin

Endorphins

GH

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