Hypothalamus is a super master endocrine gland. Elaborate.

Structure of hypothalamus:

The basal part of diencephalon is the hypothalamus. It helps in the regulation of certain vital body functions. It is connected to the anterior pituitary through the hypophyseal portal system and with the posterior pituitary through the axons of the neurosecretory cells.



Hormones secreted:

Hypothalamus produces hormones that stimulate (Releasing hormones) or inhibit (Portal hormones) hormone production or release by the anterior pituitary.



Some of the hypothalamic hormones and their actions are mentioned below:-

Name of Hormone	Target organ/ gland	Action	Target organ response
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)	Anterior pituitary	Stimulatory	Synthesis and secretion of GH (growth hormone)
Growth hormone inhibitory hormone (GHIH)	Anterior pituitary	Inhibitory	Inhibition of GH secretion
Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH)	Anterior pituitary	Stimulatory	Promotes prolactin secretion
Prolactin inhibiting hormone (PRH)	Anterior pituitary	Inhibitory	Inhibition of prolactin secretion
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)	Anterior pituitary	Stimulatory	Production of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone)
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)	Anterior pituitary	Stimulatory	Production of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)	Anterior pituitary	Stimulatory	Secretion of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)

Hypothalamus as a super master gland:

The pituitary gland is known as the master gland as its secretion controls the secretions of the other endocrine glands. Hypothalamus is considered as super master gland as it controls the secretions of the pituitary. An example has been shown in this figure: