Chapter 20: Hypothalamic and Pituitary Function

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Cards (37)

  • 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