The Thymus and Hypothalamus Glands Marlon Haygood 6th David Magana 1/9 Darcy Price

The Thymus Gland

Where is it located? The thymus is located in the mediastinum, posterior to the sternum and in front of the heart.

What does it do? During childhood, the thymus plays a role in developing the immune system. As a child enters adulthood, the thymus atrophies and is replaced by fatty tissue.

What hormones are released? The thymus produces thymosin and thymopoietin, hormones responsible for endocrine activity.

What feedback mechanisms exist? Peptides stimulate the production of lymphocytes, which develop in the thymus, to help maintain homeostasis. In response to foreign bodies, the necessary T cells are produced.

What if something goes wrong? What is the problem? Some connections have been made between myashthenia gravis and disorders of the thymus but they are not fully understood. SCID, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, the absence of functional T-lymphocytes, is also linked to problems of the thymus. How can it be fixed? There are few solutions to thymus problems other than the replacement of the missing T cells.

The Hypothalamus Gland

Where is it located? The hypothalamus gland, about the size of an almond, is located below the thalamus and just above the brainstem.

What do it do? The hypothalamus’ main function is the maintenance of homeostasis. The hypothalamus governs: ● Body Temperature ● Thirst/Hunger ● Sleep/ Circadian Rhythm ● Moods ● Sex Drive ● Etc.

What feedback mechanisms exist? The hypothalamus is involved in pituitary gland function. In response to signals from the nervous system, the hypothalamus secretes neurohormones that regulate the release of pituitary hormones including: ● ADH ● PRH ●GHRH ●Oxytocin

What if something goes wrong? What is the problem? Disorders of the hypothalamus often cause problems associated with other glands as the hypothalamus cannot release neurohormones to signal the release of other hormones. Hypothyroidism ●Heart Problems ●High Cholesterol Gonadal deficiency: ●Heart Disease ●Impotence in men ●Infertility Growth hormone deficiency ●High Cholesterol ●Osteoporosis ●Short Stature

How can these disorders be treated? Many instances of hypothalamic dysfunction are treatable, with the missing hormones replaced through medication.

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