How does the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland?

The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland primarily through feedback from hormones in the blood. This regulation allows the hypothalamus to monitor the body's internal environment and respond accordingly by adjusting hormone levels.

Hormones produced by various endocrine glands circulate in the bloodstream and can communicate information about the body’s status back to the hypothalamus. For example, when hormone levels are too low or too high, the hypothalamus will either stimulate or inhibit the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland to restore balance. This feedback mechanism ensures that homeostasis is maintained, as the hypothalamus integrates signals from the body and regulates the pituitary's secretions accordingly.

Structural connections, while present, do not account for the primary mechanism through which the hypothalamus communicates its regulatory functions to the pituitary gland. Instead, the communication primarily relies on hormonal feedback rather than direct electrical stimulation or nerve impulses.