Biomaterial Database

Discoveries Around the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis. 2023

Jerome M Hershman, and Paolo Beck-Peccoz

UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Many members of the American Thyroid Association played prominent roles in discovering the various aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. This axis is fundamental for maintaining the normal serum levels of circulating thyroid hormones (THs) and thus the euthyroid state. The pituitary glycoprotein hormone, thyrotropin (TSH), controls the activity of the thyroid gland. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and the negative feedback mechanism of circulating TH regulate the synthesis and the secretion of TSH. The dynamic interplay of these two dominant mechanisms has essential effects on TSH release. Therefore, the finding of abnormal serum levels of TSH often indicates the presence of a disorder of thyroid gland function. A summary of key historical discoveries in the understanding of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is presented.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010902	Pituitary Gland	A small, unpaired gland situated in the SELLA TURCICA. It is connected to the HYPOTHALAMUS by a short stalk which is called the INFUNDIBULUM.	Hypophysis,Hypothalamus, Infundibular,Infundibular Stalk,Infundibular Stem,Infundibulum (Hypophysis),Infundibulum, Hypophyseal,Pituitary Stalk,Hypophyseal Infundibulum,Hypophyseal Stalk,Hypophysis Cerebri,Infundibulum,Cerebri, Hypophysis,Cerebrus, Hypophysis,Gland, Pituitary,Glands, Pituitary,Hypophyseal Stalks,Hypophyses,Hypophysis Cerebrus,Infundibular Hypothalamus,Infundibular Stalks,Infundibulums,Pituitary Glands,Pituitary Stalks,Stalk, Hypophyseal,Stalk, Infundibular,Stalks, Hypophyseal,Stalks, Infundibular
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013961	Thyroid Gland	A highly vascularized endocrine gland consisting of two lobes joined by a thin band of tissue with one lobe on each side of the TRACHEA. It secretes THYROID HORMONES from the follicular cells and CALCITONIN from the parafollicular cells thereby regulating METABOLISM and CALCIUM level in blood, respectively.	Thyroid,Gland, Thyroid,Glands, Thyroid,Thyroid Glands,Thyroids
D013963	Thyroid Hormones	Natural hormones secreted by the THYROID GLAND, such as THYROXINE, and their synthetic analogs.	Thyroid Hormone,Hormone, Thyroid,Hormones, Thyroid
D013972	Thyrotropin	A glycoprotein hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Thyrotropin stimulates THYROID GLAND by increasing the iodide transport, synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (THYROXINE and TRIIODOTHYRONINE). Thyrotropin consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH; LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone,TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone),Thyreotropin,Thyrotrophin,Hormone, Thyroid-Stimulating,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
D013973	Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone	A tripeptide that stimulates the release of THYROTROPIN and PROLACTIN. It is synthesized by the neurons in the PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, TRH (was called TRF) stimulates the release of TSH and PRL from the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND.	Protirelin,Thyroliberin,Abbott-38579,Antepan,Proterelin Tartrate,Proterelin Tartrate Hydrate,Protirelin Tartrate (1:1),Relefact TRH,Stimu-TSH,TRH Ferring,TRH Prem,Thypinone,Thyroliberin TRH Merck,Thyrotropin-Releasing Factor,Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Tartrate,Abbott 38579,Abbott38579,Hydrate, Proterelin Tartrate,Prem, TRH,Stimu TSH,StimuTSH,TRH, Relefact,Tartrate Hydrate, Proterelin,Thyrotropin Releasing Factor,Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone,Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Tartrate