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Encyclopedia > Posterior pituitary

The posterior pituitary (also called the neurohypophysis) comprises the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is part of the endocrine system. It consists mainly of neuronal projections (axons) extending from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus that secrete peptide hormones into the capillaries of the hypophyseal circulation. Pituitary gland illustration by Diberri. ... The English word POSTERIOR is identical to the original Latin adjective, and has two different uses : as an ADJECTIVE, it indicates that someone or something is behind another, either spatially or chronologically it also became a SUBSTANTIVE, indicating the rear-end, especially of a person, i. ... Located at the base of the skull, the pituitary gland is protected by a bony structure called the sella turcica. ... Major endocrine glands. ... Drawing by Santiago Ramón y Cajal of cells in the pigeon cerebellum. ... An axon, or nerve fiber, is a long slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neurons cell body or soma. ... In biology, the supraoptic nucleus is a nucleus of magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, their axons extend into posterior pituitary. ... The paraventricular nucleus is a nucleus of mostly magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, their axons extend into posterior pituitary. ... In the anatomy of mammals, the hypothalamus is a region of the brain located below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon and functioning to regulate certain metabolic processes and other autonomic activities. ... Peptide hormones are a class of peptides that are secreted into the blood stream and have endocrine functions in living animals. ...


Anatomy

Despite its name, the posterior pituitary gland is not a gland, per se; rather, it is largely a collection of axonal projections from the hypothalamus that terminate behind the anterior pituitary gland. It is derived embryonically from downward-growth of the diencephalon. This tissue receives its blood supply from the inferior hypophyseal artery, and secretes hormones into the hypophyseal vein. These hormones are actually made in the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary gland, where they are stored. An axon, or nerve fiber, is a long slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neurons cell body or soma. ... The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis) comprises the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is part of the endocrine system. ... The diencephalon is the region of the brain that includes the epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. ... Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are present in the blood and help carry oxygen to the rest of the cells in the body Blood is a circulating tissue composed of fluid plasma and cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). ... In the anatomy of mammals, the hypothalamus is a region of the brain located below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon and functioning to regulate certain metabolic processes and other autonomic activities. ...


The posterior pituitary has three main components:

Pars nervosa is part of the pituitary gland. ... The pituitary stalk, also known as the infundibular stalk or simply the infundibulum is the connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary. ... Median Eminence The median eminence is part of the inferior boundary for the hypothalamus. ...

Major hormones secreted

Hormones known classically as posterior pituitary hormones are synthesized by the hypothalamus. They are stored and secreted by the posterior pituitary into the bloodstream.

Hormone Target Effect
Oxytocin Uterus, mammary glands Uterine contractions; lactation
Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone; ADH) Kidneys or Arterioles Stimulate water retention or raise blood pressure by contracting arterioles
Endocrine system - Pituitary gland - edit
Posterior pituitaryPars nervosa | Median eminence | Infundibular stalk
Anterior pituitaryPars intermedia | Pars tuberalis | Pars distalis | Somatotropes | Lactotropes | Thyrotropes | Gonadotropes | Corticotropes

  Results from FactBites:
 
Pituitary Gland: Encyclopedia of Nursing & Allied Health (1737 words)
Neurohormones are synthesized by the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary.
As opposed to the anterior pituitary, which is connected to the hypothalamus via the circulatory system, the posterior pituitary receives nerve impulses from the same nerve cells that innervate the hypothalamus.
Oxytocin—A hormone produced by the posterior pituitary that stimulates the movement of breast milk from the sacs in which the milk is produced to the larger ducts from which the milk is ejected.
Pituitary Tumors (2519 words)
The pituitary gland is a kidney bean shaped structure attached to the base of the brain (behind the nose), where it is protected by a small part of the skull called the sphenoid bone.
The pituitary gland is made up of two different regions, the "anterior pituitary" -- the part of the gland closest to the front of the head -- and the "posterior pituitary" -- the part of the gland closest to the back of the head.
The anterior pituitary comprises approximately 80% of the pituitary gland, and is divided into three parts: the anterior lobe, the intermediate zone and the pituitary stalk.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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