tuberoinfundibulärer

Tuberoinfundibular refers to a specific anatomical region within the hypothalamus of the brain. It encompasses the tuber cinereum, a bulge of gray matter located on the ventral surface of the hypothalamus, and the infundibulum, a stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. This region is functionally significant as it plays a crucial role in the neuroendocrine control of various bodily processes.

The tuber cinereum contains specialized neurons, including neurosecretory cells, that produce and release hormones. The infundibulum, also known as the pituitary stalk, serves as the conduit through which these hypothalamic hormones are transported to the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland. This close anatomical and functional relationship allows the hypothalamus to regulate the release of pituitary hormones, thereby influencing a wide range of physiological functions.

Key hormones regulated by the tuberoinfundibular system include gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and somatostatin. These hormones, in turn, control the secretion of various pituitary hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone (GH), and prolactin. Consequently, the tuberoinfundibular system is essential for regulating reproduction, stress response, metabolism, growth, and lactation. Disruptions in this system can lead to various endocrine disorders.