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4.1 Hypothalamic–Pituitary Relationships — Test 1
Q1. Hypothalamic releasing factors reach the anterior pituitary mainly by way of:✓ Blood vessels (the hypophysial portal system)
Q2. The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) develops embryologically from:✓ Rathke's pouch (an outgrowth of the roof of the mouth/oral ectoderm)
Q3. The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) is best described as:✓ Neural tissue derived from a downgrowth of the hypothalamus
Q4. With reference to the pituitary, which statement is TRUE?✓ The neurohypophysis collects and stores vasopressin and oxytocin
Q5. Posterior-pituitary hormones are synthesised in hypothalamic nerve-cell bodies and then:✓ Transported down axons to the posterior pituitary for release
Q6. 'Castration cells' (enlarged, vacuolated gonadotrophs) are found in the:✓ Anterior pituitary
Q7. The hypothalamic hormone that INHIBITS prolactin secretion is:✓ Dopamine (prolactin-inhibiting factor)
Q8. Match each hypothalamic hormone with its main action and choose the correct option.✓ A-iii, B-i, C-ii
Q9. The hypophysial portal system is special because it:✓ Carries hypothalamic hormones directly to the anterior pituitary without systemic dilution
Q10. Cutting the hypothalamic-pituitary stalk would be expected to:✓ Increase prolactin (loss of dopamine inhibition) and decrease other anterior hormones
Q11. Which gland develops from an outgrowth of the epithelium lining the roof of the mouth?✓ Anterior pituitary
Q12. Identify the neurohypophyseal hormone:✓ Oxytocin
Q13. Which hormone originates in the anterior pituitary?✓ Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Q14. The hypothalamic releasing hormones are secreted into portal blood at the:✓ Median eminence
Q15. Panhypopituitarism is best defined as:✓ Reduced production/secretion of all anterior-pituitary hormones
Q16. Which is NOT a hypothalamic hormone acting on the anterior pituitary?✓ Oxytocin
Q17. The two posterior-pituitary hormones are homologous nonapeptides packaged with:✓ Neurophysins
Q18. A craniopharyngioma, a tumour arising near the pituitary, originates from remnants of:✓ Rathke's pouch
Q19. The endocrine gland that tends to become inactive (involutes) with old age is the:✓ Thymus
Q20. Hypothalamic control of the anterior versus posterior pituitary differs in that:✓ The anterior lobe is controlled by blood-borne releasing hormones; the posterior by direct neural axons