Chapter 20: Hypothalamic and Pituitary Function

• The term pituitary (derived from both Latin and Greek) literally means to "spit mucus".
• Spit mucus - reflecting the primitive notion of pituitary function.
• What do ancient physiologist believed about pituitary?

  They believed that the brain was responsible for signaling the pituitary to secrete; however, instead of mucus, it was later discovered that the brain directs the pituitary to secrete hormones that regulate other endocrine glands.
• Due to the discovery of ancient physiologist, the pituitary was designated as the _____.

  Master gland
• What happened if pituitary is absent?

  1. Cessation of growth
  2. together with profound alterations in intermediary metabolism
  3. failure of gonadal, thyroidal, and Adrenal function
• The pituitary is also referred to as the (Greek means = _____)

  Hypophysis (undergrowth)
• In clinical chemistry, rather than master gland. It is appropriately to recognize it as a ___________.

  transponder that translates neural input into hormonal product.
• Features that distinguish the function of the pituitary include: (this can vex the clinical evaluation of suspected endocrine disease)

  1. Feedback loops
  2. Pulsatile secretions
  3. Diurnal rhythms
  4. Environmental or external modification