Parvocellular neurosecretory cell
Encyclopedia
Parvocellular neurosecretory cells are small neuron
s within paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus
. The axons of the parvocellular neurosecretory cells of the PVN project to the median eminence
, at the base of the brain, where their neurosecretory nerve terminals release peptides into blood vessels in the hypothalamo-pituitary portal system. The blood vessels carry the peptides to the anterior pituitary
gland, where they regulate the secretion of hormones into the systemic circulation.
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s within paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
. The axons of the parvocellular neurosecretory cells of the PVN project to the median eminence
Median eminence
The median eminence is part of the inferior boundary for the hypothalamus part of the human brain. A small swelling on the tuber cinereum posterior to the infundibulum - atop the pituitary stalk - the median eminence lies in the area roughly bounded on its posterolateral region by the cerebral...
, at the base of the brain, where their neurosecretory nerve terminals release peptides into blood vessels in the hypothalamo-pituitary portal system. The blood vessels carry the peptides to the anterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary
A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary, also called the adenohypophysis, is the glandular, anterior lobe of the pituitary gland...
gland, where they regulate the secretion of hormones into the systemic circulation.
Types
The parvocellular neurosecretory cells include those that make:- Corticotropin-releasing hormoneCorticotropin-releasing hormoneCorticotropin-releasing hormone , originally named corticotropin-releasing factor , and also called corticoliberin, is a polypeptide hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the stress response...
(CRH), which regulates ACTH secretion from the anterior pituitary gland - VasopressinVasopressinArginine vasopressin , also known as vasopressin, argipressin or antidiuretic hormone , is a neurohypophysial hormone found in most mammals, including humans. Vasopressin is a peptide hormone that controls the reabsorption of molecules in the tubules of the kidneys by affecting the tissue's...
, which also regulates ACTH secretion (vasopressin and CRH act synergistically to stimulate ACTH secretion) - Thyrotropin-releasing hormoneThyrotropin-releasing hormoneThyrotropin-releasing hormone , also called thyrotropin-releasing factor , thyroliberin or protirelin, is a tropic tripeptide hormone that stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin by the anterior pituitary...
(TRH), which regulates TSHTSHTSH may refer to:* Tanzanian shilling, the currency of Tanzania* Thyroid-stimulating hormone, a hormone synthesized and secreted by thyrotrope cells* Tshiuetin Rail Transportation, a Canadian railway between Labrador and Quebec...
and prolactinProlactinProlactin also known as luteotropic hormone is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRL gene.Prolactin is a peptide hormone discovered by Henry Friesen...
secretion