How does the hormonal system of the body, what is it controlled by? In the brain there is a system of 3 appendages, known as adenohypophysial. It includes 3 structures - the pituitary, epiphysis, hypothalamus. The location of the appendage of the epiphysis we will explain and describe. This is a separate brain structure that was previously considered unnecessary, useless. But now we know that the pineal gland or pineal gland is needed for the regulation of biorhythms.
Pituitary gland, hypothalamus, pineal gland: functions
All glands secreting hormones are regulated by the adeno-pituitary system in the brain. The system consists of two parts of the brain of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. What are their functions?
The pituitary gland produces the majority of vital hormones - antidiuretic, oxytocin, thyrotropic. Thyroid-stimulating hormone is a secret that affects the functioning of the thyroid gland. Corticotropic secretion or ACTH affects adrenal gland production of cortisol. And gonadotropin is a determining factor in the development of sex hormones in both men and women. The pituitary gland, hypothalamus, pineal gland, thalamus harmoniously interact with each other and regulate behavior, sleep, reproduction.
The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of the medulla oblongata. It consists of nuclei, and today the functions of 42 pairs of nuclei are known. In the hypothalamus, there are centers of thirst, hunger, regulation of basic emotional states and states of sleep and wakefulness.
There is another important gland - the pineal. This is the pineal gland. It is often called the posterior appendage of the brain. The function of the pineal gland is the production of serotonin. Based on serotonin, melatonin is produced.
Location in the brain
Now we will discuss where exactly in the brain these structures are located - the pituitary, hypothalamus, pineal gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, below in the bone pocket, called the "Turkish saddle." It is located close to the spinal cord. Through its ducts, all substances produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary system enter the body.
Hypothalamus - hypothalamus, from the Greek. office or room. It enters the intermediate part of the brain and is the main regulator of nervous processes. It is located under the visual tubercles, behind the middle section of the brain.
Melatonin Production
One of the most important hormones needed for sleep is melatonin. It is produced mainly at night. To better fall asleep, you need to turn off all the lighting devices in the room, then melatonin is produced in the required volumes.
The peak production occurs at a time of 12 to 2 hours. The production rate is 30-35 micrograms. Melatonin has been proven to promote recovery and rejuvenation. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of this hormone are even greater than that of vitamin E.
The pituitary gland, hypothalamus, pineal gland - these three parts of the brain regulate circadian rhythms - that is, the phases of sleep and wakefulness. A person feels the failure of the circadian rhythm when he flies several time zones forward or backward.
Adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis
The pituitary gland consists of 3 lobes. Anterior - adenohypophysis, posterior and middle. The middle lobe is mostly located in the pedicle emanating from the hypothalamus. The adenohypophysis is the largest part of the pituitary gland, contains most of its mass and performs most of the functions.
The posterior pituitary gland is called the neurohypophysis. This part is located behind the adenohypophysis and performs a secretory and cumulative function. This department supports the tone of small vessels, the tone of the uterus during childbirth and regulates the water-salt balance.
Causes of Violations
Violations of the adenohypophysial system are observed quite rarely. Any abnormality in the structure of the pituitary, hypothalamus, pineal gland will immediately cause malfunctions in the production of hormones of the thyroid, parathyroid and other glands. Consequently, metabolism, sleep, or thyroid energy production suffers.
So what are the causes of pathologies:
- Congenital malformations of the system.
- The consequences of traumatic brain injury.
- Hemorrhagic stroke of the brain.
- Tumor. Either benign or malignant - it doesn’t matter. There is too little space in the brain.
- Autoimmune disorders in the body.
- The use of certain drugs without a doctor's prescription, without the right dosage.
- The consequences of exposure.
All problems that arise regarding the pituitary gland need to be addressed in a timely manner. Disruptions in the functioning of the hormonal system are especially severe in adolescents. After all, they still need to grow and develop, arrange a personal life.
Disorders of the pituitary gland
When the production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland is disturbed, strange things happen. Those with excess somatotropin (growth hormone) become giants. Their bones do not stop growing after 20-22 years. A lot of such cases are known in history.
And with a lack of hormone, people do not grow above 120 cm. They are called midgets. They are the same adults, they can maintain the functions of childbearing, but they look like children.
If the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone is disrupted, then the thyroid gland functions, which receives a signal to “start” the production of its secrets: thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
Corticotropic hormones pass from the brain into the adrenal cortex. And oxytocin is our main hormone of happiness, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the mammary glands in women and the work of the ovaries.
Sometimes it happens that with an overabundance of this milk hormone, in young, not yet giving birth to girls, milk begins to flow from the breast.
Conclusion
In our brain there is a harmonious system, tested over centuries of evolution, the system is adenohypophysial. Her work is largely influenced by the posterior appendage - the pineal gland. Together, these structures - the pituitary, hypothalamus, pineal gland, adenohypophysis, are responsible for controlling hormones throughout the body.
If there is the slightest imbalance in the system, then irreparable changes occur in the development of the young organism. What else is the system responsible for - the pituitary, hypothalamus, pineal gland? Melatonin (sleep hormone) is produced when the production of serotonin (the hormone of happiness) is reduced. The system also is responsible for the rhythmic fluctuations in the level of these hormones in the blood.