Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
Completion requirements
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the location and anatomy of the hypothalamus and pituitary.
- Explain the functional relationship between the two structures.
6. Clinical Correlations
|
Condition |
Site Involved |
Effect |
|
Pituitary adenomas |
Anterior pituitary |
Hormone hypersecretion (e.g., prolactinoma → galactorrhea, infertility) or mass effects |
|
Hypopituitarism |
Anterior pituitary |
Deficiency of one or more hormones → growth failure, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency |
|
Diabetes insipidus |
Posterior pituitary or supraoptic nucleus |
ADH deficiency → polyuria, polydipsia |
|
Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion (SIADH) |
Posterior pituitary (ADH excess) |
Water retention, hyponatremia |
|
Sheehan’s syndrome |
Anterior pituitary (postpartum necrosis) |
Failure to lactate, amenorrhea, secondary hypothyroidism/adrenal insufficiency |
- Hypersecretion of GH leads to cause gigantism in children and acromegaly in adult.
- Hyposecretion of GH results in dwarfism during childhood.