HYPOTHALAMUS

Nicolette Cefai and Malia Bybee

Location

In the brain below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland

Hormones

Thyrotropin - releasing hormone (TRH) Stimulates the synthesis and secretion of

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL)

Gonadotropin - releasing hormone (GnRH) Secretes at the onset of puberty and triggers

sexual development Then on it is essential for normal sexual

physiology in both males and females Growth Hormone - releasing hormone

(GHRH) Promotes growth hormone (GH) secretion by

stimulating cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary

Hormones (Cont.)

Corticotropin - releasing hormone (CRH) Acts in the anterior lobe of the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic

hormone (ACTH) Synthesized by the placenta and determines the duration of pregnancy Plays a role in keeping the T cells of the mother from mounting an

immune attack against the fetus Somatostatin

Acts on the anterior pituitary lobe to: inhibit the release of growth hormone (GH) inhibit the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

secreted by cells in the pancreas and in the intestine to inhibit the secretion of a variety of other hormones

Dopamine Inhibits the release of prolactin (PRL) from the anterior pituitary lobe Modulates motor control centers Activates the reward centers of the brain A loss of dopamine-secreting cells produces Parkinson's disease

Homeostasis

The hypothalamus is the control center for homeostatic regulation

The hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland which releases hormones that regulate body functions

The hypothalamus has neural influence on the autonomic nervous system which helps regulate body temperature, the cardiovascular system, and food and water intake

Hypothalamus regulates it’s own secretion through negative feedback inhibition which results in hormonal homeostasis

Improper functioning hypothalamus

If the hypothalamus is damaged, it can cause uncontrollable urination and failure to regulate metabolic base temperature.

Causes of hypothalamic dysfunction include: Bleeding Eating Disorders Genetic disorders Growths (tumors) Head trauma Infections and swelling

(inflammation) Malnutrition Radiation

Surgery Too much iron

Treatment depends on the cause of the hypothalamic dysfunction. Tumors -- surgery or radiation Hormonal deficiencies --

replace missing hormones The most common tumors

in the area are craniopharyngiomas in children

Works Cited

"Endocrine System Information." Endocrine System Information. A.D.A.M., n.d.

Web. 10 Jan. 2014.

"Hormones of the Hypothalamus." Hormones of the Hypothalamus. N.p., 06

Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.

"Hypothalamic Dysfunction: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National

Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.

Utiger, Robert D., Dr. "Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone." Encyclopedia

Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.

"E&S - PHYSIOLOGY note: CNS: hypothalamus." E&S -

PHYSIOLOGY note: CNS: hypothalamus. N.p., 5 May 2005. Web.

14 Jan. 2014.