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How is the hypothalamus connected to the pituitary gland?
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human endocrine system
The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are connected by the infundibular (pituitary) stalk, a tubular structure that facilitates both nervous and chemical communication. This connection consists of two primary pathways:12
- Nervous Pathway: Neurons originating in the hypothalamus extend their axons through the infundibular stalk directly into the posterior pituitary. These neurons transport hormones such as vasopressin and oxytocin, which are stored in nerve terminals within the posterior lobe until they are released into the general circulation.12
- Chemical Pathway: The hypothalamus regulates the anterior pituitary through the hypophyseal-portal system. Neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus release regulatory peptides and hormones into a capillary network at the median eminence. These substances travel through the hypophyseal-portal veins to the anterior pituitary, where they stimulate or inhibit the secretion of various hormones.32