The
Thymus and Hypothalamus
Glands
Marlon Haygood
David Magana
Darcy Price
6th
1/9
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?
How can it be fixed?
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.
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:
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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
● GHRH
● PRH
● 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.
Sources Cited
Images
http://www.yourhormones.info/glands/hypothalamus.aspx
Information
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-thymus-gland.htm
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/thymus-gland-disorders.html
http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/thymus.htm
http://www.bartleby.com/107/274.html
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/H/hypothalamus.html
http://www.tollesburypharmacy.com/private_prescription.php
http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overviewhypothalamus
http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/p/Hypothalamus.htm