Hypothalamic & Pituitary hormones

Hypothalamus

• The Paraventricular Nucleus (PVN), located in the anterior medial area of hypothalamus, is involved in oxytocin and vasopressin release from the pituitary.
• The Arcuate Nucleus (ARC) is involved in secretion of various pituitary releasing hormones.
• The Dorsomedial Hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) is involved in stimulating gastrointestinal activity.
• The Ventromedial Nucleus (VMN) is involved in satiety.
• The overall function of the hypothalamus is to link the CNS to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland (the hypophysis).

Hypothalamic & Pituitary Hormones

Hypothalamus produces 2 types of endocrine factor

1. Hypothalamic neuropeptides
2. Hypothalamic releasing factors