Hypothalamus and pituitary complex

• the hypothalamus controls homeostatic mechanisms in the body. it contains its own sensory receptors and acts by negative feedback to maintain a constant internal environment.
• How is the hypothalamus involved in temperature regulation?

  The hypothalamus detects changes in core body temperature. however, it also receives sensory input from the temperature receptors in the skin. it will initiate responses to temperature changes that regulate body temperature within a narrow range. these responses may be mediated by the nervous system or by the hormonal system via the pituitary gland.
• how is the hypothalamus involved in osmoregulation?


  Osmoreceptors that monitor water potential in the blood are in the hypothalamus. When the water potential changes, the osmoregulatory centre initiates responses that reverse this change. the responses are mediated by the hormonal system via the pituitary gland.
• The pituitary gland is split into which lobes?


  Posterior and anterior lobe
• What is the significance of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?


  It is linked to the hypothalamus by specialized neurosecretory cells. hormones such as ADH, which are manufactured in the hypothalamus, pass down the neurosecretory cells and are released into the blood from the pituitary gland.
• what is the significance of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland?


  The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces its own hormones, these are released into the blood in response to releasing factors produced by the hypothalamus. these releasing factors are the hormones that need to be transported only a short distance from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. hormones from the anterior pituitary gland control a number of physiological processes in the body, including response to stress, growth, reproduction and lactation.