Hypophyseal portal system
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Reverted to revision 164031474 by [[Special:Contributions/Arcadian|Arcadian]]; restore deleted content. ([[WP:TW|TW]])
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The '''hypophyseal portal system''' (or '''hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system''') is the system of [[blood vessel]]s that links the [[hypothalamus]] and the [[anterior pituitary]]. It allows [[endocrine system|endocrine]] communication between the two structures. The [[anterior pituitary]] receives releasing and inhibitory [[hormones]] in the blood. Using these the anterior pituitary is able to fulfill its function of regulating the other endocrine glands.
It is one of only a few [[portal system of circulation|portal systems of circulation]] in the body; that is, it involves two [[capillary|capillary beds]] connected by [[venule]]s.
==Hormone transport==
mechanism for hormone transport via hypothalamoportal vessels:
*cells regulated by different nuclei in hypothalamus, ie: [[neurons]] that release [[neurotransmitters]] as hormones in the connective link between the pituitary and the brain. Hypothalamic hormones stimulate the release of the respective hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.
*[[Ligand (biochemistry)|ligands]] (in this case, hormones released by the hypothalamus to activate hormone release from the anterior pituitary) are picked up by blood vessels then taken to anterior pituitary where they are broken down and released back into blood vessels
*before they are broken down, hypothalamoportal vessel acts as local route for blood flow directly from hypothalamus to anterior pituitary.
==External links==
* http://www.llu.edu/llu/medicine/anatomy/glossary/ans102_109.html#Q103
* http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/hypopit/anatomy.html
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[[Category:Central nervous system]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular system]]
[[nl:Hypofysepoortader]]