If blood supply to hypothalamus is interrupted through median eminence which hormone will have normal secretion?
First, I need to recall the structure and function of the hypothalamus and its connection to the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces several hormones that are transported to the anterior pituitary via the hypophyseal portal system. These include TRH, CRH, GnRH, GHRH, and dopamine. The median eminence is a part of the hypothalamus where these hormones are released into the portal system to reach the anterior pituitary.
If the blood supply to the median eminence is interrupted, the hormones that rely on this pathway would be affected. The hormones that are stored in the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) don't use this pathway. These include oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH), which are synthesized in the hypothalamic nuclei (supraoptic and paraventricular) and transported down their axons to the posterior pituitary for storage and release.
So, if the median eminence's blood supply is blocked, the anterior pituitary hormones (like TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, PRL) would be affected because their hypothalamic releasing hormones can't reach the anterior pituitary. However, the posterior pituitary hormones, which are stored in the posterior pituitary and released via axons, wouldn't be affected. Therefore, the hormone that would have normal secretion is either oxytocin or ADH.
Looking at the options, if one of them is oxytocin or ADH, that would be the correct answer. The question might present these as options. The incorrect options would be the releasing hormones or the anterior pituitary hormones. For example, if an option is TRH, CRH, or GnRH, those would be wrong because they require the median eminence's blood supply. Similarly, if an option is GH or ACTH, they depend on the releasing hormones from the hypothalamus, so those would be affected.
The clinical pearl here is remembering that the posterior pituitary hormones are not affected by the median eminence's blood supply because they are transported via axons, not the portal system. This is a classic exam point in endocrinology.
**Core Concept**
The hypothalamic median eminence is the site where hypothalamic-releasing hormones are secreted into the hypophyseal portal system to regulate anterior pituitary hormone secretion. Posterior pituitary hormones (oxytocin, vasopressin) bypass this system, relying instead on axonal transport from hypothalamic nuclei.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH) are synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and transported via axons to the posterior pituitary for storage and release. The median eminence’s blood supply interruption affects anterior pituitary regulation (e.g., via TRH, CRH, GnRH) but does not impact posterior pituitary hormone secretion, which is axonally transported independently.
**Why Each Wrong Option is