Chapter 20: Pituitary Gland & Hypothalamus

MAX-Yield™ STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Describe endocrine gland characteristics in terms of embryonic origin (I.B¹), secretory cell arrangement (I.C), capillary abundance (I.C), mode of secretion release and transport (I.D), and typical secretory product (I.D).

2. Describe hormones in terms of:

   1. Chemical composition (two basic types; I.D.1 and 2)

   2. Relative distance and the route between the secretory cell and the target site (I.D)

   3. Relative amount needed to elicit a response from the target cell (I.D)

   4. General function (I.D)

3. Describe the location of the pituitary gland (hypophysis) and its relations to the hypothalamus, sella turcica, and optic chiasm (II).

4. Name the pituitary gland’s two major divisions (Table 20–1) and compare them in terms of:

   1. Embryonic origin

   2. Microscopic structure

   3. Hypothalamic connections (vascular versus neural; III.F; IV.D; Fig. 20–2)

   4. Major hormones released (III.A.2.a and b; IV.A.1; Table 20–1)

5. Sketch the adult pituitary gland and hypothalamus and label the following (Fig. 20–2):

   1. Adenohypophysis

   2. Neurohypophysis

   3. Hypothalamus

   4. Anterior lobe

   5. Posterior lobe

   6. Optic chiasm

   7. Pars distalis

   8. Pars tuberalis

   9. Pars intermedia

   10. Rathke’s cysts

   11. Median eminence

   12. Infundibulum

   13. Pars nervosa

   14. Supraoptic nucleus

   15. Paraventricular nucleus

   16. Primary capillary plexus

   17. Secondary capillary plexus

   18. Hypophyseal portal veins

6. Name the three major subdivisions of the adenohypophysis (Table 20–1).

7. Name the parenchymal cell types in the adenohypophysis, based on their staining properties (III.A.1, 2.a and b).

8. Compare pituitary acidophils and basophils (III.A.2.a and b; Table 20–2) in terms of:

   1. Staining properties, including:

      1. Affinity for acidic dyes (e.g., eosin)

      2. Affinity for basic dye (e.g., hematoxylin)

      3. PAS staining

   2. Hormones secreted by each cell type

9. Name the primary target organs of (and response to) the following hormones (Table 20–2):

   1. FSH

   2. LH

   3. ICSH

   4. TSH

   5. Growth hormone

   6. Prolactin

   7. ACTH

10. Beginning with neural stimulation of the hypothalamus, trace the events leading to thyroid hormone secretion (T₃ and T₄) by the thyroid gland. Name, in order, the neural, endocrine, and vascular components involved (III.A.2.b and E; Table 20–2).

11. Name the major subdivisions of the neurohypophysis (Table 20–1).

12. Where are the cell bodies of the pars nervosa’s unmyelinated axons located (IV.A)?

13. Describe Herring bodies in terms of their contents, appearance, and location (IV.A).

14. List the contents of the neurosecretory vesicles in the axons of the pars nervosa (IV.A.1–3).

15. Describe ...