posterior pituitary and hypothalamus relationship

Pituitary-Hypothalamic Relationship; posterior lobe

Posterior lobe is composed of neural tissue and maintain its neural connection with hypothalamus via nerve bundle called hypothalamic hypophyseal tract, which runs through infundibulum.

Neurosecretory cells synthesize two neurohormone; oxytocin hormone and antidiuretic hormone.

Hormone produce by cell bodies of neurosecretory cell are packged in vesicles and transported through axon and stored in axon terminals that lie in posterior pituitary.

Posterior pituitary does not produce it's own hormone, but only stores and releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormones.

When neurosecretory cell stimulated, action potential generated.

Triggers release of stored hormones from axon terminals into capillary bed within posterior pituitary for distribution through out body.