How is the anterior pituitary connected to the hypothalamus?

Answer 1

The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland in two ways. One is via the hypophyseal portal system, which is a system of blood vessels that connects parts of the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. The hypothalamus secretes hormones into this portal system and the hormones act on the anterior pituitary to trigger the synthesis/secretion of pituitary hormones.

The other is a direct anatomical connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary gland. In fact, the posterior pituitary gland is actually just an extension of the hypothalamus. When we talk about hormones released by the posterior pituitary, we're actually talking about hormones made and released by the hypothalamus. It just so happens that with the naked eye, it looks like the anterior and posterior pituitary are all part of one big pituitary gland. But microscopically, functionally and anatomically, the pituitary gland is just an outgrowth of the hypothalamus.

Answer 2

The infundibulum is the stalk that connects the gland to the hypothalamus superiorly.

Answer 3

The hypothalamus participates in basic drives and emotions and controls the productions and secretions of the pituitary hormones specifically the anterior pituitary hormones.

Answer 4

Blood capillaries run through the infundibulum which connect the hypothalamus and anterior which transports the releasing factors (hormones). This is the hypophyseal Portal System.

Answer 5

The infindibulum

Answer 6

the infundibulum