Which neuroendocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland?

The HPA axis, which stands for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is a critical neuroendocrine system that plays a central role in regulating stress responses, among other functions. This axis begins in the hypothalamus, which produces corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The CRH then stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The ACTH subsequently prompts the adrenal glands to release cortisol.

Cortisol is a hormone that helps the body manage stress and also affects many bodily functions such as metabolism and immune response. The interplay between these three components—hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland—illustrates how they work together to control the body’s response to stress and maintain homeostasis.

In contrast, the HPT axis relates to the relationship between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid glands, which primarily regulate metabolism. The hypothalamic control axis is not a widely recognized term in the context of major endocrine axes and does not solely refer to the stress response. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system and is responsible for the body's 'fight or flight' responses, but it does not encompass the