Pituitary stalk
Pituitary Stalk
The Pituitary Stalk (pronunciation: pɪˈtjuːɪtəri stɔːk), also known as the infundibulum or hypophyseal stalk, is a slender piece of tissue that connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus in the brain.
Etymology
The term "Pituitary" is derived from the Latin word "pituita", meaning phlegm or slime, which was once believed to be produced by this gland. The term "stalk" is derived from the Old English word "stalu", meaning a support or post.
Anatomy
The pituitary stalk is a part of the endocrine system and serves as a connection between the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary. It carries various hormones from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, including thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and dopamine.
Function
The primary function of the pituitary stalk is to transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. These hormones then stimulate or inhibit the release of other hormones from the pituitary gland, which regulate various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Related Terms
- Pituitary gland
- Hypothalamus
- Endocrine system
- Anterior pituitary
- Posterior pituitary
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone
- Dopamine
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pituitary stalk
- Wikipedia's article - Pituitary stalk
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