The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

Interactive Physiology® Quiz: The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

This activity contains 42 questions.

Which region of the brain directly regulates pituitary gland activity?

HippocampusMedulla oblongataHypothalamusHypothalamus

The specialized blood capillary system that connects the ventral hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland is known as the system.

Molecules that function as in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are often neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, or paracrines in other places in the body.

	Negative feedback exerted by the target hormone can be directed at the anterior pituitary gland and/or ventral hypothalamus.
	True False

	Neurotransmitters and hormones function identically.
	True False

	The posterior pituitary is composed of glandular tissue.
	True False

	Antidiuretic hormone is also known as vasopressin.
	True False

The pituitary gland is also known as the

hypothalamus.hippocampus.hypophysis.hypothesis.

Which two hormones are produced by the same cell?

GH and cortisolThyroid hormone and TSHFSH and LHProlactin and ACTH

Which hormone is NOT considered to be a trophic hormone?

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)Gonadotropins (LH and FSH)ProlactinAdrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH)

Hormones released by the ventral hypothalamus

diffuse to the nearby anterior pituitary gland.enter the cerebrospinal fluid and circulate to the anterior pituitary gland.are released at synapsesenter the hypophyseal portal system and travel directly to the pituitary gland.

Hormones released by the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus

enter the cerebrospinal fluid in order to reach the anterior pituitary gland. diffuse to the nearby posterior pituitary gland.are released from axon terminals.enter the hypophyseal portal system and travel directly to the pituitary gland.

Which blood vessel(s) connect(s) the capillaries of the ventral hypothalamus to the capillaries that surround the anterior pituitary gland?

Portal capillariesAll answers are correct.Portal arteryPortal vein

Most of the ventral hypothalamic hormones cause the secretion of

both anterior and posterior pituitary hormones.posterior pituitary hormones.anterior pituitary hormones.neither anterior or posterior pituitary hormones.

Where are oxytocin and ADH stored for later release?

in the posterior pituitary.More than one answer is correct.end terminal regions of the paraventricular nuclei.end terminal regions of the supraoptic nucleus.

Which of the following is an example of a neurohormone?

TSHProlactinADHGH

Which hormone is released from a neuron?

GnRHOxytocinTRHAll answers are correct.

Which hormone does NOT enter the systemic blood supply to exert its effect?

GnRHACTHOxytocinFSH

Thyroid hormone stimulates the secretion of

thyroid stimulating hormone.prolactin.oxytocingrowth hormone.

Match each region of the pituitary gland to its characteristic.

Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in the right column.


	Is composed primarily of neuronal tissue

	Is connected to the hypothalamus via the hypophyseal portal system

20.1 Anterior Pituitary

20.2 Posterior Pituitary

Match each hypothalamic hormone to its function. An answer is used just one time.

Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in the right column.


	Inhibits milk production

	Stimulates the release of GH

	Stimulates the release of FSH and LH

	Stimulates the release of thyroid hormone

	Stimulates the release of ACTH

21.1 TSH

21.2 CRH

21.3 Dopamine

21.4 GnRH

21.5 GHRH

	A crying infant's ability to stimulate the release of oxytocin from its mother's hypothalamus is an example of a neuroendocrine response.
	True False

	The hypothalamus' functions are completely independent of nervous input.
	True False

The hypothalamus

mediates many endocrine responses.does not receive nervous input from other portions of the brain.All answers are correct.produces and releases only two hormones.

An increase in blood osmolarity will stimulate the hypothalamus to release

GnRH.ADH.oxytocin.ACTH.

Input from the ___________ to the hypothalamus is one way to explain the fluctuating levels of hormones over a 24-hour period (circadian rhythm).

occipital loberetinabrain stemcerebellum

Which statement(s) is/are TRUE?

All answers are TRUE.Part of the cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal nuclei, and reticular formation send neuronal projections to the hypothalamus.Hypothalamus activity can be stimulated or inhibited by emotions.Hypothalamic circuits can influence endocrine system functions.

The breakdown of thyroid hormone occurs in peripheral tissues by removal of atoms.

Of the hormones listed, which hormone is released first?

TSHT3T4TRH

Which hormone controls the secretion of T3 and T4 as well as the growth of the thyroid gland?

GnRHThyroglobulinTSHTRH

Thyroid hormone

more than one answer is correct.is transported in plasma bound to a protein.is water-soluble.does not have a very long half-life.

___________ is the active form of thyroid hormone.

T3 TRHTSHT4

Which organ(s) function(s) to activate 80% of thyroid hormone?

Liver and kidneysSpleen and bone marrowStomach and small intestineLungs and heart

Which statement is TRUE?

Thyroid hormone does not function to alter gene expression.Thyroid hormone binds to receptors located in the cell's nucleus.Very few body cells require thyroid hormone to function.Thyroid hormone enters cells via receptor mediated endocytosis.

Thyroid hormone

is synthesized from a nucleic acid.maintains a two to three month supply in the thymus gland.contains one iodine molecule.circulates in the blood in two principle forms, T3, and T4.

Thyroid hormone

is required for the secretion of growth hormone (GH).All answers are correct.is needed for normal function of the adult nervous system.increases cellular basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Which of the following would result in cretinism?

Low levels of thyroid hormone in an infant/young child.High levels of thyroid hormone in an infant/young child.High levels of thyroid hormone in an adult.Low levels of thyroid hormone in an adult.

Thyroid hormone amplifies the activity of

serotonin and dopamine.More than one answer is correct.acetylcholine and GABA.norepinephrine and epinephrine.

An enlarged thyroid gland is known as a .

	Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobin mimics the action of TSH.
	True False

	In order to determine the pathology of thyroid function it is important to first determine whether the changes are due to the gland itself or changes in pituitary gland's secretion of TSH.
	True False

Match each hypothalamic hormone to its function.

Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in the right column.


	Decrease BMR

	Weight loss despite ample food consumption

42.1 Hypersecretion of thyroid hormone

42.2 Hyposecretion of thyroid hormone

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