Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus the Epithalamus Is A
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Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Prethalamus, and E pithalamus Epithalamus The epithalamus is a small region of the dien cephalon. It is located superior and posterior to the thalamus. The epithalamus consists of the habenula , the stria medullaris, and the pineal body . The habenula nuc lei respond to olfactory stimulation and are involved in emotional and visceral responses to odors. The pineal body secretes melatonin, which affects the wake/sleep pattern and is involved in circadian rhythms. Hypothalamus The hypothalamus communicates with both the anterior and posterior pituitary gland to change secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus communicates with posterior pituitary through synaptic transmission and communicates with anterior pituitary through soluble hum oral factors (hormones). Below is a list of hormones the hypothalamus secretes, their effect on the pituitary gland, and brief descriptions of physiological effects of the pituitary hormones. 1. Anti-diuretic hormone: The hypothalamus senses the blood osmolality (concentratio ns of electrolytes and sodium) and blood pressure, and it signals the posterior pituitary to release anti -diuretic hormone, which decreases urine output, thus increasing the volume of water in the blood. 2. Oxytocin: The hypothalamus senses stimuli , such as the stretch of the uterus or mechanical stimulation of the nipples, and signals the posterior pituitary to release oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contraction and milk ejection. For a list of hormones that affect the anterior pituitary, please refer to Table 1 in addition to the items listed below. 3. Growth hormone: The hypothalamus s enses stress or low blood sugar and releases growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). GHRH stimulates the anter ior pituitary to release growth hormone , which a ffects uptake of ami no acids, protein synthesis, as well as promotes bone and cartilage growth. 4. Thyroid-stimulating hormone: The hypothalamus releases thyroid releasing hormone, which stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid-stimulating hormone causes an increase in triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). The Saylor Foundation 1 5. Adr enocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): Stress and low blood glucose signals the hypothalamus to release corticotrop hin releasing hormone (CRH). CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTCH , which target the adrenal cortex and stimulates cortisol secretion. Cortis ol results in increases in fat, protein degradation, and blood glucose. It also has anti-inflam matory effects. 6. Other hormon es secreted by the hypothalamus include gonadotropin -releasing hormone, which stimulates t he anterior pituitary to secret: luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone; prolactin-releasing hormone, whi ch stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete prolactin; and prolactin -inhibiting hormone, which results in decreased release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary. Table 1: Neurohormones of the Hypothalamus that Affect the Anterior Pituitary Hormone Target Ti ssue Response Growth hormone Anterior pituitary cells that Increased secretion of GH releasing hormone secrete GH (GHRH) Growth hormone Anterior pituitary cells that Decreased secretion of GH inhibiting hormone secrete GH (GHIH) Thyroid-releasing Anterior pituitary cells that Increased secretion of hormone (TRH) secrete thyroid -stimulating thyroid stimulating hormone hormone Corticotropin- Anterior pituitary cells that Increased secretion releasing hormone secrete adrenocorticotropic adrenocortico tropic hormone (CRH) hormone (ACTH) Gonadotropin- Anterior pitui tary cells that Increased secretion of releasing hormone secrete lutein izing hormone luteinizing hormone and (GnRH) and follicle -stimulating follicle-stimulating hormone hormone Prolactin-releasing Anterior pituitary cells that Increased secretion of hormone (PRH) secrete prolactin prolactin Prolactin-inhibiting Anterior pituitary cells that Decreased secretion of hormone (PH) secrete prolactin prolactin. The Saylor Foundation 2 .